The painting by Jean-Francois Millet, titled “The Angelus” (Paris, Museo de Orsay, oil on canvas, 1857-1859), offers a pastoral scene of a man and woman at work in their field. The Angelus bell, heard from the steeple of the Church in the distance prompts the co-workers to stop their activity and offer their prayer. His pitchfork set aside, her collecting cart and basket put down, they bow their heads and fold their hands in prayer. Humble and thankful for the gifts of life and the goodness it brings, they make their prayer recalling that it was in the course of the normal business and busy-ness of the day that the Angel of God appeared to Mary who said “yes” to God'splan of salvation

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In 1950, King Farouk of Egypt told a group of reporters that soon enough, there would be only five kings left in the world: the king of hearts, the king of spades, the king of diamonds, the king of clubs and the king of England.

The fate of kings is behind our first reading today. King David has come a long way from tending sheep and playing on his harp. He was a shepherd from Bethlehem before he was called to the court of Saul: his job was to play the kind of music that would entice the king out of his fits of depression. He proved more than a musician; he killed the giant Goliath and distinguished himself in battle. King Saul, however, became nervous about David's success and popularity and threw a javelin in his direction twice. He was a rotten shot. The harpist was forced to flee and started his own guerrilla movement in the Judean hills, where he remained until the death of Saul.

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At first glance, Titian’s "Christ and the Good Thief" appears to be a depiction of two men in the process of being crucified.

When looking more deeply, however, the image presents a key understanding to what a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, Our King, as we celebrate Him today, is all about.

Notice that Jesus on the cross is clearly bound by the nails in his hands and feet. The good thief however appears somewhat suspended without nails, ropes, nor any foot support. His left arm seems to drop from the cross beam, his right raised in animated statement of his own belief that he is receiving what is deserved while Christ, the innocent one, is not.

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