Today, November 20th, is also the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Although the date of this occasion is not the same every year, this year is one where it coincides with the anniversary of the official release of Windows 1.0 (November 20, 1985) which included a game, Reversi, based on another game named Othello.

Regardless of the name though, the two-player game like the push and pull of life on earth is all about strategy. It involves a green board and round pieces that are black on one side and white on the other, and players take turns trying to “book-end” their opponent’s pieces either horizontally or vertically. When successful, a player can then convert pieces from the other player’s color to one’s own, and when all the pieces are used, the player who has more of their color pieces on the board wins.

Essentially, this game is another that is all about paying attention, thinking ahead, maneuvering, and navigating to benefit from both one’s own plays as well as the missteps of one’s opponent. Typical of pretty much any kind of competition. Or, on the other hand, it can just be a simple, engaging game while spending time with a loved one. The pieces like coins or chips, creating an interesting rhythm as they shake back and forth in a loosely closed fist, and a pattern that slowly emerges as each piece is placed on the board of green amid moments of speaking and ones of silence. Ultimately, like many things, it depends on the eye with which one views it.

Sitting with chapter 23, verses 35-43, of the Gospel according to Luke (below), one can see two sides of the piece. There were those, the rulers, soldiers, and one of the criminals, who saw the situation solely in terms of themselves and in the world (winning, losing, us against them). They taunt Jesus and browbeat him about not fighting back and overcoming them, which they assume he would do if he was really a king.

And then, there was the other criminal, who saw the situation as it truly was. He could see and acknowledge the truth, that both criminals had done wrong, and Jesus had not. He also pushed back against the misconceptions and aggressive behavior toward Jesus. It seems that the eye through which he viewed what was happening was more flexible, able to take in a broader view—the full picture including beyond himself, and less hardened than the others who were there. As a result, he was more open, and this allowed him to see through the noise and mentality of the crowd. It led him to the truth and a desire that drew him closer to Jesus, Savior, in the moment he was facing… in the moment they were facing together.

In this month of Thanksgiving and remembrance, with which eye are you viewing situations? And in what ways do you desire to face each moment together with Jesus?

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
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 23:35-43