24/11/2025
SERVE YOUR KING
By Fr. Jerry M. Orbos SVD
The story is told about a flight attendant who announced that there were only 40 dinner packs for the 140 passengers onboard that evening flight. There was much grumbling and complaining, and even threats of lawsuits. But then came the announcement that they can choose dinner, or unlimited alcoholic drinks during the flight. The grumbling died down, and 90 minutes into the flight, guess what? Five opted for dinner, and the rest were having the flight of their lives!
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In today’s Gospel (Luke 23:35-43), we hear the story of the two thieves who were crucified together with Jesus. One was proud and unrepentant until the very end, while the other was humble and remorseful. We are all thieves, but we have a choice to abandon Christ our King, or to stay on with Him no matter what, until the very end.
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“Jesus, remember me when I come into your kingdom.” I pray that I will be able to say these words when I leave this world, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” I humbly pray that I will hear these words from Christ the King when I come to my life’s end.
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“You wasted it!” We hope we will not hear these words from Christ our King when we finally come face to face with Him. May we not be filled with so much sadness and regret then that we wasted our time, talents, and treasures on ourselves, and we forgot to serve our King and His people. Payback time! When, oh, when will we realize that all the time, talents, and treasures we have, were not meant for us and for our keeping, but for the service of Christ our King?
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Please remember, God uses not so much the worthy instrument as the willing instrument. Sign up anytime! God sees not your past, but your heart. This moment, now, just pray: “Christ, you are my king. Use me. Mold me. Humble me. The rest of my life, the best of my life to serve you, O Christ, my Lord and King.”
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Don’t make any creature your God, including yourself. Unless there is someone greater than yourself or your loved ones, you may end up living a life that is selfish, vain, and empty. And don’t make any leader your king or queen. No leader is worth dying for, except Christ, our Leader and King.
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At the last minute, our pilot aborted our landing at an airport some years ago. The reason? According to him, his approach was high. The incident shook me up, but also woke me up: may it not be said of us that we could not land in God’s heart because our approach to Him was too high. Yes, the key to a meaningful life is humble service to Christ, our King. Think about this: “Your life can truly be meaningful and wonderful if you have a real relationship with God, and your focus is on something or Someone greater than yourself.”
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“The rulers sneered at Jesus.” They did it then, and they still do now. Some people, when they become drunk with fame and power, begin to think and really believe that they are God, and even speak and act like one. History has shown that the most powerful men and women are soon forgotten and gone, but Christ our King lives on. Rulers, be not proud.
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“The soldiers jeered at him.” They did it then, and they still do now. Some people, when they are given the power, abuse it to persecute the little ones and those who have no voice. May those who are empowered by the law, and who enforce it, be fair, humane, and kind. Remember, your power will be gone sooner or later. But Christ the King, to whom you are accountable, lives on. Soldiers and law enforcers, be not proud.
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When is that “today”? We do not know when our King will call us, so we must be ready, but let not this fear freeze us and “kill” us even before we die. Are there some “dead spots” in our lives? Are there some bad habits, bad relationships, bad attitudes, and bad memories that are poisoning us and slowly killing us? Today, we pray to Christ our King: “Lord, set us free! We want to belong to Thee!”
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A moment with the Lord: Lord Jesus, my Lord and my King, let me serve You till the very end. Amen.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
