On the aftermath of Yolanda, our government was criticized for its ineffectiveness and its lack of respons to such a dramatic situation. It was lamented also for the absence of good organization or management of aids coming from many countries and for corruption of public funds that has caused many victims still helpless. In a democratic society, such critics are a normal spectacle. It aims to push the political authorities to do well their jobs and challenge them to account for their leadership.

On last Sunday, the gospel spoke of the end of time as an accomplishment of the Kingdom of God in Jesus. The Kingdom of God refers not only to any kind of a so-called ‘heavenly place’ but also mainly to the sovereignty of God, ta basileia, in Greek word. Ta basileia or Kingdom of God is the latter. God reigns in our history in other ways than human. He reigns over us through Jesus in whom He dwells.

The way the Gospel describes Jesus as king and leader is very shocking. As a king he was born in a manger, worked as a carpenter. He didn’t rule like any powerful kings or emperors. He didn’t rule with earthly power and authority but with authority and power coming from God. He reigned by way of love, true friendship with sinners, outcasts of the society and with prostitutes. His throne was no other than human hearts. He touched people with his welcoming words and affectionate hugs. His royal throne is no other than his cross.

We are so accustomed to make the sign of cross or to have many collections of crosses as object of devotion and piety that we risk not to care of its sense. If we wear cross or keep it in a special place in our house, we are to accept God as crucified God in Christ; we are to accept our king in this Jesus crucified among two bandits. His power is love, hope and faith in God the Father. His throne is your heart once you are available to others – in need of love and understanding as Jesus was.

Seeing Jesus being crucified, the good thief said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” His kingdom has its beginning now in your heart and in your daily life when you start to convert and to have a loving heart like Jesus. The true conversion consists not only of changing your life from bad but orienting it to the likeness of Christ.

Wearing cross is a burdensome duty. It asks you to be example of true leadership in this world. To be a leader, you are asked to forget your own self, your personal, familial and political interest for the sake of other interests. It is burdensome because it asks you to act discretely in a joyful service whatever you do in the society and what ever functions you exercise.  Smiling face and welcoming words to your clients or to your boss or to employers is the very attitude of leadership as Jesus reminds us “If you want to be a leader, be a servant!”. The former American president, John Kennedy paraphrased it in his way “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”. As Christians, we are all invited, in the aftermath of Yolanda, to act as the late Kennedy said. We can not “kick a can down the street” and blame anyone for anything, we are to work together. It’s important also to note what Roosevelt said “The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little”. (Reynaldo,s.x.)