June 5: Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
Posted by Campus Ministry on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 6:00 AM PDT
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David himself calls him the Messiah Lord.
Dear Friends, Peace be with you!
We Christians know the Messiah, Son of David, is Jesus Christ and that His kingdom has already started —as a seed that germinates, grows up and bears fruit— and will become a visible and magnificent reality when Jesus comes back at the end of time. But already now Jesus is the Son of David and allows us to live “in hope” by enjoying the benefits of the Messianic Kingdom, breaking into our midst.
The title of “Son of David” applied to Jesus Christ forms part of the backbone of the Gospel. In the Annunciation, the Virgin received this message: “And the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32-33). The destitute that begged Jesus to cure them, were saying: “You son of David, have mercy on me!”(Mk 10:48). When Jesus solemnly entered in Jerusalem He was acclaimed: “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest” (Mk 11:10). Crying out to the Son of David meant crying out to a powerful person in their midst who could help and save them from their plight.
But Jesus is not only the Son of David, meant to be a human ruler in our understanding of power, but also the Lord. He confirms it solemnly by quoting the Davidic Psalm 110 in today’s Gospel. Those present cannot understand it: it is impossible that the son of David can also be equal to the Lord. St. Peter, witness of Jesus resurrection, clearly saw that Jesus had been constituted Lord of David, because “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day..., but Jesus God rose up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:29-32). “His Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power” as St. Paul names him ( Rm 1:3-4). This Jesus, who is descendant of David, and Risen Lord, is beyond our full human understanding. Yet Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, attracts the focus of all people's hearts, just as he did in his earthly life, and thus, softly attracting us towards him, He already exerts now his lordship over all people that address him with Love and in Trust.
As Christians, we need to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior in our daily lives, not just as a powerful human ruler, but as Lord of our hearts. How? 1.) We have to invite him to be the king of our heart and the ruler of our thoughts, relationships, and actions. 2.) Then we should give Jesus free rein in every area of our lives. 3.) Finally, we should surrender our lives to him serving others humbly, lovingly and selflessly.
Amen.
Fr. Colleen Nsame, SJ