Lk 15:1-10
In a deck of playing cards, you will find four images of a king. The first is the king of clubs. A club is a weapon that can be used to harm another person. A club is an instrument of a hostile person; an extension of a violent hand. Jesus cannot be the king of clubs because he did not come to sow violence. He was a man of peace. He came so that all of us may learn to treat one another as brothers and sisters.
The second is the king of spades. A spade is a shovel; an instrument used to throw dirt. A spade also can be a symbol of the grave because it usually is the instrument used for digging. Jesus cannot be the king of spades because he did not come to make us dirty. He came to cleanse us from everything that defiles us. Moreover, Jesus cannot be the king of spades because he did not stay in the grave. Jesus rose from the dead and he is the Lord of the living.
The third is the king of diamonds. A diamond is an expensive stone; an important piece for the rich and the famous. Jesus cannot be the king of diamonds because he did not come to own the world and its possessions. He came to share our poverty and to teach us how to be generous. Jesus provided for the needy and consoled the brokenhearted.
If Jesus is neither king of clubs, spades and diamonds, then he only can be the king of hearts. Jesus is our king of hearts because he came to love us. He is a king with the heart of a good shepherd. He knows his sheep by heart. He calls them by name. He leads them to green pasture. And he is willing to risk his life for his sheep. Jesus is a king with a forgiving heart, rich in patience and full of mercy. He is willing to search for the lost sheep, to leave the ninety-nine for the one who is lost. And he always is happy for every sheep counted back, for one repentant sinner. The heart of this King is sacred because it is Dives Misercordia, rich in mercy.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of clubs. We need to stop abusing and hurting anyone. We need to end the cycle of violence around us. We must not think of getting even with others who have hurt us. Revenge is never a Christian option.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of spades. We have to stop throwing dirt to one another. Let us stop our gossiping, our backbiting — the malicious acts of destroying others’ good reputation.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of diamonds. We must not allow money and material possessions to enslave us. We must not allow our wealth to stop us from becoming good Christians. We rather place our full trust in the goodness of the Lord.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then every one of us must have a sacred heart. Our hearts have to beat with the heart of Jesus. Our hearts also must be warm, tender, compassionate, patient, forgiving and rich in kindness.
[This is an adaptation of the homily of Bishop Socrates B. Villegas entitled “King of Hearts”]
In a deck of playing cards, you will find four images of a king. The first is the king of clubs. A club is a weapon that can be used to harm another person. A club is an instrument of a hostile person; an extension of a violent hand. Jesus cannot be the king of clubs because he did not come to sow violence. He was a man of peace. He came so that all of us may learn to treat one another as brothers and sisters.
The second is the king of spades. A spade is a shovel; an instrument used to throw dirt. A spade also can be a symbol of the grave because it usually is the instrument used for digging. Jesus cannot be the king of spades because he did not come to make us dirty. He came to cleanse us from everything that defiles us. Moreover, Jesus cannot be the king of spades because he did not stay in the grave. Jesus rose from the dead and he is the Lord of the living.
The third is the king of diamonds. A diamond is an expensive stone; an important piece for the rich and the famous. Jesus cannot be the king of diamonds because he did not come to own the world and its possessions. He came to share our poverty and to teach us how to be generous. Jesus provided for the needy and consoled the brokenhearted.
If Jesus is neither king of clubs, spades and diamonds, then he only can be the king of hearts. Jesus is our king of hearts because he came to love us. He is a king with the heart of a good shepherd. He knows his sheep by heart. He calls them by name. He leads them to green pasture. And he is willing to risk his life for his sheep. Jesus is a king with a forgiving heart, rich in patience and full of mercy. He is willing to search for the lost sheep, to leave the ninety-nine for the one who is lost. And he always is happy for every sheep counted back, for one repentant sinner. The heart of this King is sacred because it is Dives Misercordia, rich in mercy.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of clubs. We need to stop abusing and hurting anyone. We need to end the cycle of violence around us. We must not think of getting even with others who have hurt us. Revenge is never a Christian option.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of spades. We have to stop throwing dirt to one another. Let us stop our gossiping, our backbiting — the malicious acts of destroying others’ good reputation.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then we cannot be Christians of diamonds. We must not allow money and material possessions to enslave us. We must not allow our wealth to stop us from becoming good Christians. We rather place our full trust in the goodness of the Lord.
If Jesus is our king of hearts, then every one of us must have a sacred heart. Our hearts have to beat with the heart of Jesus. Our hearts also must be warm, tender, compassionate, patient, forgiving and rich in kindness.
[This is an adaptation of the homily of Bishop Socrates B. Villegas entitled “King of Hearts”]
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