On the final Sunday of the Church year we celebrate Jesus Christ’s unique role as ruler over the entire world. He did not become king by conquering other nations, nor by popular acclaim. No, he became king by willingly suffering and dying for our sins and leading us to eternal glory with God. He gave us a glimpse of the kingdom during his earthly life, but we know that he continues to reveal himself in the poor, the weak, and the marginalized; in the Church as we gather in his name; and in the Eucharist we receive and consume each Sunday.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
In today’s first reading, we hear Daniel’s vision of a Son of man receiving kingship from God over an eternal dominion. As Christians, we understand this prophecy to be fulfilled in Jesus, who often referred to himself as the Son of Man. We also hear a vision from Revelation in which Jesus comes again in glory. The Gospel narrates the scene in which Jesus is questioned by Pilate about his kingship, which he cannot understand. Let us listen to God’s word, aware that Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth.
Reflections
Pilate had good reason to worry about a so-called “King of the Jews.” As the Roman prefect in charge of the province of Judea, he would logically be threatened by the native population’s king. Imagine his relief when Jesus tells him that he has no attendants to fight, for his kingdom “does not belong to this world” (John 18:36). To Pilate, a king had power, status, and wealth. The man before him had none of those things. But he did not recognize the truth, the truth that indeed Jesus had all of those things, just in a different way. In God’s kingdom, Jesus was given power over death, the status of kingship, and the wealth of the countless souls who have joined him in eternal life.
A few Sundays ago we heard Jesus tell his disciples, “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43–45). This is the model of kingship that Jesus embraced. Jesus wished for his disciples to serve others, to want to serve others, and to live their lives in service of others, rejecting the very human values of ambition and vanity. Jesus humbled himself just to become human, further humbled himself to live his life serving others, and ultimately humbled himself by dying on the cross. This is the self-sacrifice he calls his disciples to accept.
Not only did Jesus redefine king for us, but he also redefined kingdom. Just as the king is the servant of all, the kingdom is one in which service for others is paramount. For this, as is written in Revelation, Jesus “has made us into a kingdom” (Revelation 1:6). The kingdom is not only beyond this world, but is also present in this world when Jesus is present with us. Jesus embodied the kingdom during his earthly life and before he left he told his disciples that he would always be present in those who are most in need. When we serve those in need, spreading Christ’s peace, hope, and love in the world, we are participating in the work of the kingdom.
Question of the Week Have I felt the presence of the kingdom when I have been of service? How can I be of service this week to someone in need? -from Pastoral Patterns
readings of the mass
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Offerings
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