November 25, 2018: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Reading: John 18:33b-37

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.”

Reflection:

This Sunday is the feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and the last Sunday in the Church year. Today’s Gospel reading is taken from the Passion narrative of John’s Gospel. This part of the Gospel contains the discussion between Jesus and Pilate before Jesus begins his journey to Calvary. This discussion revolves around whether Jesus is the King of the Jews. There had been fears surrounding Jesus being a king since the time of his birth when Herod determined to kill the infant Jesus. Jesus makes it clear that worldly power and worldly kingdoms are not what he is about. Jesus came to bring truth into the world — truth about God, about God’s love and about what is truly important in the kingdom in which we are invited to share.

Action:

This week it might be good to spend time reflecting on what this feast of Christ the King means to you. Do you relate to Jesus as King? If not, what image of Jesus does have meaning for you? There are many images within the Gospels — shepherd, friend, healer, teacher. How might these relate with the feast of Christ the King?