November 21: The kingdom of God, or God‘s vision for the human family, is present only to the degree that the kingdom of God is present in me.

November 21, 2021                         Christ the King

Introduction

Our gospel for this feast of Christ the King portrays the ultimate confrontation: the secular powers of this world represented by Pontius Pilate confronts the power of God in the second person of the Blessed Trinity made flesh.

  • Here Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, stands face-to-face with the Lord of the universe.
  • Here the might and wealth of all secular powers and governments stands face-to-face with the might and power of the Eternal Word, through him all things were made.

Gospel

Jesus before Pilate 

The dialogue that follows is significant.

  1. It’s early in the morning, Pilate may have been a bit agitated and Jesus would have been exhausted from the abuse of the Roman soldiers. 
  2. However, Jesus is not about to let this moment of his trial pass by. 
  3. Jesus speaks to the heart of Pontius Pilate 
  4. Some of the gospel narratives record that Jesus remained silent.
  5. That is certainly not the case in Saint John’s gospel for today.
  6. Pilate begins the interrogation by stating the charges: “are you the king of the Jews?”
  7. Pilate is laying the groundwork for the capital offense of treason and sedition.
  8. Jesus’ response is strange. He asks Pilate where he got this idea by saying, “do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”
  9. Pilate responds by telling him that the Jewish authorities have accused him of pretending to be their Messiah and King of Israel.
  10. Pilate then inquires, “what have you done to deserve this?”

Kingdom not of this world 

  • The conversation takes an interesting twist. Jesus doesn’t answer the question. His reply is negative.” My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to you.”
  • This must have seemed to be a strange and troubling response.
  • There are indications that Pilate may have been very superstitious.
  • In that response, Jesus clarifies the nature of his kingdom.
  • It is not a political kingdom that can be identified by a particular time or place.
  • It is a kingdom based upon divine power and unlike any secular human experience of authority or power.
  • Pilate pressures him, “then you are a king?”
  • Yes, in a sense.
  • Jesus’ followers are not subjects in a kingdom but persons who hear the truth and follow it. It is in this sense, not in a political sense, that Jesus can be understood as king and possessing a kingdom.

The truth 

Finally, we come to the climax of the conversation.

  • Jesus who is on trial then boldly challenges the judge, Pontius Pilate: “I came into the World to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice”. 
  • Implicitly He challenges Pilate,” will you listen to me and accept the truth?”

Pilate’s response begs the question “what is truth?”

Hear the truth

Jesus challenge to Pilate challenges every single human being, “everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”

  • The implication is that if you do not recognize and love the truth you will not hear the voice of truth which is Jesus himself.
  • Perhaps the reason why the world is in such a mess is that so many do not love the truth.

Application

The Liturgical year

This is an appropriate gospel for the conclusion of our liturgical year.

  1. I like to think of our Year of Worship as one giant yearly procession beginning with Advent and our anticipation of Jesus’ coming at the end of time, Christmas, Lent, The Resurrection, reflection on discipleship and now the culmination with Christ the King.
  2. This final celebration offers each of us a challenge.

Lordship of Jesus

The early Christians use the word “Kyrios” to describe Jesus as Lord. 

  1. It was a subversive title that was given only to the emperor. The Christians applied it to Jesus.
  2. The Latin word for “Lord” is “Dominus.”
  3. It sounds a lot like the word dominate. 
  4. Actually today’s gospel gives us the opportunity to reflect upon this question:
  5. Is Jesus the Lord of my life?
  6. Does Jesus dominate every aspect of my life?
  7.  Of course it’s easy to give Jesus one hour each week here in church.
  8. However, is Jesus the Lord of every aspect of my life?
  9. Is he present in my family; is he present in my work; is he present in my entertainment; is he present when I relax?

Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God, or God‘s vision for the human family, is present only to the degree that the kingdom of God is present in me.

  1. If God reigns over me, then the kingdom of God is present.
  2. If the Lordship of Jesus does not reign over my life, then the kingdom of God is not present.
  3. Remember what Jesus said, “my kingdom is not of this world, if it were my followers would prevent me from being handed over to you.”
  4. Jesus’ kingdom is not a political kingdom nor is it a kingdom of time and space.
  5. God rules over the cosmos! God rules over humanity.
  6. The question remains: “does God reign reign over me”
  7. We can recognize God‘s kingdom because it is a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.

Conclusion

As we continue with today’s solemn celebration of Christ the king, let us pray that Jesus may capture our hearts and that his kingdom may reign over us and ultimately over all human hearts.

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