This phrase is both a statement and a question. Is Christ my king, or your king, and what does it mean to say yes? Today's gospel is a very familiar one. How often we hear the story of the "good thief" and take comfort in it. But what about the other criminal? Both men seem to think that Jesus just might be the Christ, the Messiah, but they have very different attitudes about that. The first is thinking only of himself; and tells Jesus to save himself and them while the second is aware of his sinfulness and only asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Each time I have reflected on this one of the last words of Jesus on the cross, it makes me think. Is just acknowledging Jesus as Messiah enough, or do we need to put that knowledge into action? I once heard it said that the one who knows Jesus best is Satan. So I would guess that just knowing isn't enough! If we truly accept Jesus as King, then our actions must follow. We bow to the will of God and not our own. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus; we call upon the Holy Spirit for guidance and we beg forgiveness when we fail. Perhaps a renewed commitment to having our lives bear witness to our faith is in order. And then we, too, might hear at the hour of our death, "Today, you will be with me in Paradise."

When the Lord calls you, you know it. You may not want it. You may not like it. But you'll definitely know it. As this group of prophets and teachers prayed for God's guidance, the Holy Spirit spoke to them in an audible voice. He called Barnabas and Saul to do His work. There was no question whom He was talking about. He made it clear. They didn't know before that instant that He would call them; nevertheless, they had prayed and sought guidance. Little did they know that this would be the first day of the rest of their lives.