Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”
Jesus is King
1. Are you the king? In the Middle Ages, the king was not only a symbol of authority, but also a symbol of unity among the people. Today, I propose that we ask Jesus, our King, for unity. Let’s ask Jesus for unity among believers who are working together for the same cause: seeking good for all. It really hurts us to see how we harm and destroy one another. Jesus, our King, bring us together!
2. Feast. It is a solemnity instituted by Pope Pius XI that marks that Jesus is the King of your life and mine. Strive on in life and don’t be afraid to live. Jesus’s reign is life and peace, and He invites you to live in peace so that you can help others to live that way.
3. End. Our liturgical year is soon coming to an end. Next Sunday, we begin Advent, our preparation time for Christmas. In the Gospel readings we will be hearing about the second coming of Jesus. I invite you to start taking stock of this year and to take a long, hard look at your soul. Are you on your way to being happy?
We want Christ to live in many hearts, to reign because his kingdom is one of peace. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Remember that something good is on the way!
May God Almighty bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
