Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons: November 23rd 2025

Christ the King

Hidden Image of Christ

How do you envisage the Lord Jesus? For many of us that question doesn't appear too often, and I suppose we fall back on the images we have been used to from childhood-yet there are many different depictions of Jesus the Christ from his life as Jesus of Nazareth to the one hinted at in this feast, Christ the Ruler of All, a cosmic Christ difficult for our human imaginations to fully grasp.

And yet the gospel of this feast hints at a greater truth, a hidden image of the Christ as the all-merciful, all-forgiving, ever-loving one who is also the one who embraces each and every one of us when we turn to meet him on that last day. The hint is there in the dialogue of Jesus on the cross with whom we call in tradition, the 'good thief. This comes just before the death of Jesus, and so because of this, it has an implication that we need to understand a little more, for here are the words that open up the encounter with him in eternity: 'Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."'(Lk 23 :42,43)

The name above all names

What does this exchange mean for us? Perhaps I can help explore the immensity of the gift Luke shares with us in that poignant exchange.

It goes like this. The good thief first of all calls Jesus by his name, the name above all names :' Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth'.(Philippians 2:9,10)

Here is the real power inherent in Jesus, that of relationship, but one which we will in time be willing to let go of everything that hinders closeness to him, one in which we begin to understand that Jesus the Son of God, Word made flesh in deeply, is utterly connected to us by love, and that we in our turn will one day want that love. To begin to realise this is to understand that simply using the name of Jesus is one of the most powerful prayers we have, because it calls him to us-so make it one of your prayers.

Remember us Lord

After he has called Jesus by name the good thief asks for one simple thing, not forgiveness, but that is implied as we shall note. It is simply to be remembered, 'do not forget me' but where Jesus is in the Kingdom. Can you glimpse the power of that intercession, to be remembered by God is to live for ever, to literally be re-membered, that is put together again, made clean, be forgiven, risen and whole in Christ. We ask the Lord to remember us so often in our Liturgy. The Eucharistic prayer is full of rememberings, but this is no simple request, it is as the good thief says, 'remember us, everybody, all in each age in YOUR Kingdom'.

This is the undying image of Christ the true King who gives us this answer always, 'You will be with me in paradise!'

Before my brother died, he and I had one of those simple yet utterly profound exchanges. Not far from death , he asked me two things: "How will I know Jesus when I meet him?' and "What shall I say to the Lord?" I paused, and prayed that what I said to him might be the truth. Then I remembered a short passage in a book I have so often quoted; Light in the Shoe Shop: A Cobbler's Contemplations , written by a Trappist Nun of Wrentham Abbey, Sister Agnes OCSO.

She was looking out of a window after early morning Vigils, and seeing the dawn rise, asked herself the same questions my brother asked me. I didn't give him her exact thoughts but shared with my brother these words of my own, reflections based on her insight : "You do not need to worry about finding Him, He will be the first one you meet, and you will see him in love surrounded and belonging with all you have ever loved. As for what you need to say, it is simply:' Here I am Lord, I have looked for you all my life!"

Something passed between us, brother to brother but also shepherd to sheep, and the Lord was there. He had already come to meet him in that moment and remained with him in those last days, until he took him home. That to me is my Christ the King, the one alongside us, the one who loves us, who comes to find us, and to whom we belong to for ever. Amen

Lectio

Hymn of the name of Christ

1.At the name of Jesus Ev'ry knee shall bow, Ev'ry tongue confess him King of glory now; 'Tis the Father's pleasure We should call him Lord, Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word.

2. Humbled for a season To receive a name From the lips of sinners, Amongst whom he came. Faithfully he bore it, Spotless to the last, Brought it back victorious When from death he passed.

3. In your hearts enthrone him! There let him subdue All that is not holy, All that is not true. Crown him as your Captain, In temptation's hour; Let his will enfold you In its light and pow'r.

4. Kindred, this Lord Jesus Shall return again With his Father's glory, With his angel train, For all wreaths of empire Meet upon his brow, And our hearts confess him King of glory now.

Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #303

A Christian Christmas preparation and a Christian Pudding

In our English tradition, today is also 'stir up Sunday', words taken from the original collect for this Sunday which goes:" Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen". This Sunday became the day on which families mixed and stirred together the ingredients for the Christmas Pudding, each making a wish (or in earlier days a prayer) as they took their turn to stir the mixture. The pudding was then left to mature until it was cooked.

Interestingly enough 'Figgy Pudding' another variant of Christmas Pudding, is full of Christian symbolism. Embedded in its tradition are the 13 ingredients which represent Jesus and his 12 disciples, the custom of being set on fire with brandy symbolizes the passion of Christ, whilst the sprig of holly on top of the finished pudding represents the crown of thorns!