This feast is replete with ironies. On one hand, Jesus was born in a stable to peasant parents. He lived a life of poverty and died the death of the worst type of criminal. Yet, it was those who crucified him who first acclaimed him as king. Pilate asks Jesus: "Are you the King of the Jews?" (Mtt 27: 11) The soldiers clothed him in a purple cloak, put a crown of thorns on him, gave him a reed as a sceptre in his right hand and cried out: "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mtt 27: 27-31) Over his head the charge is written: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." (Mtt 27: 37) On the other hand, we have the vision of Christ in glory as the Son of Man who will come again to rule the nations. It is tempting to dwell on the gory and not the Cross. However, we live in a time of trial for anyone who wishes to be a practicing Christian. In the Letter to the Hebrews we read: "Let us then go to him (Jesus) outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." (Heb 13: 13-14)
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