The Solemnity of Jesus the Christ, the King of the Universe
First Reading ‡ 2 Samuel 5:1-3
They anointed David king of Israel.
Responsorial ‡ Psalm 121:1-5
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Second Reading ‡ Colossians 1:12-20
He has taken us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Gospel ‡ Luke 23:35-43
Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Paradise
Luke 23 – You will be with me in paradise.
Greek pardisos → a loan word from Persian pardes , Hebrew word gan ⇒ They all mean Garden (Eden)
When is Paradise?
The distant past or now or immediate future or eternal future? Yes!
Where is Paradise?
In a field (Genesis 28), or on a Greek Island (Rev 1)? In a house by a foreign river during Exile (Ezekiel 8)? Or right here and now? Yes!
2 Cor 12 (Caught up into 3rd heaven/paradise)
Luke 9 (Transfiguration)