The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King November 25, 2018

First Reading
Daniel 7:13-14
Daniel prophesies about the coming of the Son of Man.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 93:1,1-2,5
A prayer of praise to God our king

Second Reading
Revelation 1:5-8
Jesus is the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of all.

Gospel Reading
John 18:33b-37
Jesus is questioned by Pilate about the charge brought against him that he
is "King of the Jews."

Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."


Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical year. On this
Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Each year we set
aside this Sunday to reflect upon this title that we have given to Jesus.
In Lectionary Cycle C, we read a portion of the passion from the Gospel of
John, which is also part of the Gospel reading proclaimed each year on
Good Friday.

In John's Gospel, Pilate is shown in a more favorable light than in the
other Gospels. In today's reading, we hear one of two dialogues between
Jesus and Pilate that are reported in John's Gospel. Pilate questions
Jesus about the charges brought against him. Caiaphas and the high priests
have charged Jesus with a political crime, one that would require a
punishment of death. Pilate distances himself from the Jewish leaders who
accuse Jesus; he is not a Jew, and he seems to want little to do with this
Jewish affair.

In his responses to Pilate's questions, Jesus distinguishes his kingdom
from the political powers of this world. King and kingdom may be
appropriate terms for Jesus' mission and promise, but only by analogy.
Jesus is king, but not the kind of king we imagine or expect. He was
certainly not the kind of king Pilate feared he might be.

Jesus refers to a kingdom that does not belong to this world. This has
been mentioned earlier in John's Gospel. Recall that in his prayer during
the Last Supper discourse (see John 17:6-18), Jesus prayed for his
disciples who are in the world but do not belong to the world. Yet like
Jesus, they are sent into the world for the world's salvation. In today's
reading, we see Jesus identify the final proof that his kingdom is not of
this world: If his kingdom were of this world, then there would be people
fighting to save him. Again we hear echoes of John's theme—salvation is
worked out through a cosmic battle. It is helpful to return to the first
chapter of John's Gospel to understand the context for Jesus' words to
Pilate. Jesus came into the world, but the world did not know him. In
John's language, the world prefers the darkness, and yet the light will
not be overcome by the darkness.

Truth has been another important theme in John's Gospel. We see it
emphasized in the conclusion of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate.
Those who know the truth will recognize Jesus as king and will know how to
interpret this insight. Yet Jesus' kingship was hidden from many of his
contemporaries. Only those chosen, those who have the eyes of faith, are
able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we also struggle at times to
recognize Jesus as king. Today's Gospel invites us to see with eyes of
faith that we might recognize that Jesus, through his crucifixion and
death, is indeed king and Savior of all.


Family Connection

Understanding today's feast of Christ the King may be particularly
challenging. While most of us do not have direct experience with kings or
royalty, we have a sense of who they are. We know that royalty have
sovereignty over their kingdoms. We know that those who are subjects to
royalty offer them allegiance and honor. To understand how Christ is our
king, we extend and magnify what we know to be true of the best of human
royalty. Christ's kingship extends to all places, all people, and all
times. Christ manifests his kingship through his death on the cross in
which he offered salvation to everyone. Those who can see with eyes of
faith recognize Jesus to be our heavenly king.

As you gather as a family, recall that this Sunday is the last Sunday in
the Church year and on this Sunday we celebrate the feast of Christ the
King. Talk together about what it means to be a king or queen. How do
those who are subjects behave toward royalty? Invite children to role-play
what one does in the presence of royalty. Read today's Gospel, John
18:33b-37. Ask your family to discuss these questions: Does Pilate treat
Jesus like royalty? (No.) What does Jesus say about his kingdom? (It is
not of this world.) Talk about how your family shows honor and obedience
to Christ our King. Pray together the Lord's Prayer and ask God to help
your family act in ways that show you recognize and honor Christ as King.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings