Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, November 25, 2012 with Reflection

Solemnity of the Christ the King

1^ST READING - Daniel 7:13-14

P S A L M - Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5

R: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

1 The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. (R) And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. 2 Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. (R)

2^ND READING - Revelation 1:5-8

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

John 18:33-37

33 Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” 35 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?” 36 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.” 37 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.”

SABBATH

STATING THE OBVIOUS A couple had been married for more than 20 years. The man had been a responsible husband and father. He had been faithful and never been remiss of his children’s needs. One day, the woman asked the man, “Do you really love me?” How do you think the man reacted, or how do you think he should react? How about an employee who had been at work almost every working day, pouring in more than the required hours, doing his job almost perfectly, does not receive a complaint from his coworkers, and does not complain? When he was considered for promotion, the manager asked him if he was serious with his work. How do you think the employee felt? And what about somebody who preached words that touch everyone’s heart and responded to their yearnings? That same person gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk, gave speech to the mute, and hearing to the deaf. He even cleansed many from leprosy, an incurable disease during His time. To top it all, He brought back the dead to life! And it did not stop there. When He died, He resurrected! He showed great powers and spoke with authority. He is considered to have affected and influenced more people than anyone who had ever walked on earth. For a year, starting at the Advent Season, the life and ministry of Jesus is read, heard and reflected on in the celebration of the Eucharist. He is not your regular idol, hero or savior. But He certainly deserves respect, honor and following. Our faith, based on all of what He has done, crowns Him as King — King of Kings, King of the Universe! But His kingship is not only for this world. His Kingdom extends beyond this world. He is the King of forgiveness. His mission was to gather everyone in His Kingdom — a different King but the best King we could ever have. Fr. Benny Tuazon REFLECTION QUESTION: Who or what reigns as “king” in your life? Lord, may I learn and practice in my life the true marks of a leader and king as You have shown us. St. Columban, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email. To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, register and log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.