Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. Cycle B
"You say I am a king '
Reading the book of Daniel 7, 13-14
"I kept looking in the visions of the night: And here in the clouds of heaven came like a Son of man. He went to the Ancient and was brought before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, and all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass, and his kingdom will never be destroyed. "
Reading the Book of Revelation 1, 5-8
"And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the Prince of the kings of the earth. He who loves us and washed us with His blood for our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Look, coming with the clouds: and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him, and he will mourn all the races of the earth. Yes, amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, "He who is, was and is to come, the Almighty."
Reading from the Gospel according to St. John 18, 33b-37
"Then Pilate went back into the common hall and called Jesus and said," Are you the King of the Jews? "Jesus answered:" You say this of your own, or did others say it to you from me? " Pilate answered, "Because I'm Jewish? Your people and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done? "
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight that was not delivered to the Jews: but my kingdom not from here. " Pilate said, "So 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 bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. "
Guidelines for personal reflection
The link between the readings
With the solemnity of Christ the King concludes our liturgical year. So this celebration, exalting Christ as Lord of time and space is a recap of all the Christian mystery that during the years we have seen and celebrated, in many respects: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time and special ceremonies .
On this day, as the climax of the year, we contemplate Jesus Christ in his capacity as King of kings and Lord of lords. This royalty and we see prefigured in the "Son of man" from the impressive words of the prophet Daniel: "They gave him power, honor and kingdom ... his kingdom will not be destroyed" (First Reading). In the Gospel the kingship of Jesus is clearly shown in the statement: "Pilate said to him: you are a king? Jesus answered, You say, I am King. " The Second Reading from the Book of Revelation confirms and sings the kingship of Jesus for all eternity: "To him the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
"A son of man"
The reading of the prophet Daniel was given in the context of "dreams and visions" (see Dan 7, 1) on the trial of God over men. God is represented as a grand old man of white garment. It is difficult to pinpoint the origin of the image of God as an "old judge 'background may find some expressions used to refer to the contrast between the expiration of the life of man and the eternity of God (see Psalm 102.25 - 26; Is 41.2-4, Job 36.26). Daniel describes the opening of the meeting stating that "the books were opened." Image Old Testament often refer to those who have access to eternal life (see Dan 12:1; Ex 32.32-33; Sal 69.29, 139.16, a 25.29 Sm.) Then when everyone expects the solemn proclamation of the sentence of the Elderly, Daniel unexpectedly goes to tell the terrible fate of the beasts that are subject to the divine plan.
The second part of the vision is very important because it makes reference to "someone like a Son of man (who) comes in the clouds of heaven." The origin and activity of this mysterious character is transcendent (see Ex 13.21 , 19.9; 1 Kgs 8:10; Is 19.1; Nah 1.3, Ps 18:10) and presented to the elderly, receive an everlasting kingdom whose dominion is universal. The contrast between the origin of the beasts that emerge from the sea and the son of man coming in the sky is clear and the actions of the Elderly in relation to both: one is thrown into the fire, the other is eternally blessed. This section of the dream of Daniel finds its parallel in the stone of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, after having destroyed the statue, it becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth (Dan 2,35.44-45a) and that "God will raise a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass to other people "(Dn 2, 44).
"I am the Alpha and the Omega"
The Book of Revelation of St. John begins with a liturgical dialogue between the reader and the Christian community. Under the mention of the seven churches of Asia we must consider the universality of the Church here in view ideally seven symbolic number, indicating fullness. A whole Christian Church, then, this greeting is addressed. In the welcome we can distinguish the mystery of God as Holy Trinity. God the Father is seen as "He who is and who was and who is about to come", ie is the Lord and Lord of history. The seven spirits, seven angels but do not imply the living presence of the Holy Spirit one Spirit into their personal reality and essential.
Jesus Christ is remembered with three main attributes, which come from Psalm 89, interpreted in a messianic. The three titles mentioned correspond to a confession of faith and make direct reference to the mystery of the Passion-Death-Resurrection-Ascension of the Lord Jesus. It is reliable witness, because life culminated in death, and perseverance kept up the cross, has said that God wanted to reveal perfectly. Has emerged victorious from the dead, the firstfruits of the resurrected his resurrection inaugurated a new way of being and a new kingdom. The Christian community responds grateful for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and we know and feel loved by Him Because He is, therefore, "a kingdom of priests" that is part of the prerogatives of the One High Priest, Jesus Christ. Then it will be also able to offer themselves as "victim friendly" to the Father and thus be able to participate in the "kingdom that has no end."
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Today's Gospel contains a clear statement of the kingship of Jesus: "I am king.'s All leading to this statement, we can say, is the conclusion of the dialogue with Pontius Pilate. It is interesting to analyze in detail the movement of the dialogue and the circumstances in which it occurs. Jesus had been deemed guilty of a death for the Jews and Pilate had been carried for him, as the Roman governor of Judea, handed down the death sentence. The Romans had deprived the Jewish high court - the Sanhedrin - the power to give death a condemned and this sentence was reserved to the Roman governor, as recognized by the Jews themselves: "We can not put anyone to death" (Jn 18, 31). When Pilate goes out and asked the cause of the accusation, the Jews respond: "If he were not a malefactor, we would have not given you" (Jn 18.30). Jesus is presented as a criminal, but at no time Pilate knows why they want to crucify him. This is where the dialogue that conveys the Gospel today.
Pilate asks Jesus: "Are you the King of the Jews?". The question is odd, given the situation and that Jesus had no human power and posed no danger to the great Roman power. Now the Jews had not condemned for it. Later they will say: 'You must die, because he is the Son of God "(Jn 19.7) and not" because he is King of the Jews. "To say' King of the Jews" had direct reference to political office and that was the title that Rome had given the murderous Herod was insanely jealous of his power. We know what he did when Jesus born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came and asked: "Where is the King of the Jews that was born?" (Mt 2:2). A Jew would have made Pilate's question as follows: "Art thou the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?" (Mk 14.61. See Mt 26, 63).
Jesus could have responded immediately to soothe Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world." But he would like to learn, who is the source of this question: "Do you say this on your own or did others have told you of me?" The phrase "King of the Jews", used by Pilate, suggests that he said on his own, as a Jew and had not been expressed. But declared "King of the Jews was an attack against the Roman power, to a totalitarian power like Rome, would have been sufficient cause of death. Pilate was not so naive as to think that Jesus might pose a danger in this regard. So replies: "Am I a Jew? Your people and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done? ". It's like saying:" I am not the one who says, yours have told you. "We know why the chief priests calling for his death is a religious motive, it has nothing to do with the power of this world. Pilate also known to have given to Jesus not declared "King." So question: "What have you done?".
"My kingdom is not of this world"
Now Jesus answered the original question about royalty. This response is directed to Pilate and his people and the chief priests who have spoken falsely that about him: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight that was not delivered to the Jews, but my kingdom is not here. " Pilate thought he had said something absurd, when asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?", Is an affirmative answer from Jesus. Pilate could not believe what you are hearing and incredulous question: "Then you are a king?". And here is the culmination of the scene: "You say, I am King." But Jesus makes clear in what sense: "For this I was born and for this I came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. "Jesus made the criterion of discernment among those who acknowledge him as King and those who reject him. He is recognized as King who are of the truth, reject those who are lying. Jesus never said before: "I am king 'but he said:" I am the truth. " Those who belong to the truth is recognized as King.
Perhaps no Gospel story tells us much about the truth. The truth is the path that leads human beings to eternal happiness, to that situation fullness that all men and women, without exception, crave. But the truth is identified with Jesus, who had defined her identity thus: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6). It is the same as said before Pilate. But there were many who heard his voice: he was there alone and rejected by his people. There were many "who are of the truth." This episode of the condemnation of Jesus by his people reveals the truth, although it is the only way of salvation of human beings, often rejected by the majority. The scene of the Gospel today unfortunately is repeated very often. The high priests, who rejected Christ and did not recognize him as King, ended by saying what they hated: "We have no king but Caesar" (Jn 19.15), and they knew it was a lie, because abhorred of Roman power. They did not hear the voice of Jesus Christ because they were not believed the truth and "his lies."
A word from the Holy Father:
"" You say: I am King "(Jn 18, 37). So Jesus said to Pilate in a dramatic dialogue, that the gospel makes us listen again on the Feast of Christ the King. This festival, located at the end of the liturgical year, presents Jesus, the Eternal Word of the Father as the beginning and end of all creation, as the Redeemer of man and Lord of history. At first reading the prophet Daniel says, "His dominion is eternal and does not pass, his kingdom will never end" (Dan 7, 14).
Yes, Christ, you are king! Your royalty paradoxically manifested on the cross, in obedience to the Father, "who" writes the Apostle Paul-us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, by whose blood we have received redemption, the forgiveness of sins "(Colossians 1: 13-14). Firstborn of which are raised from the dead, you, Jesus, are the king of the new humanity, which has restored its original dignity.
You are a king! But your kingdom is not of this world (cf. Jn 18, 36), not the result of military conquests of political domination, economic empire of cultural hegemony. Your kingdom is a "kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace" (cf. Preface of Christ the King of the universe), which is manifest in its fullness at the end times when God may be all in all (cf. 1 Cor 15, 28). The Church already on earth can taste the first fruits of future performance, constantly repeating, "Your kingdom come!", "Adveniat regnum tuum" (Mt 6, 10) ...
"Holiness is the decoration of your house" (Ps 92, 5). With these words we have addressed to God Responsorial Psalm. Holiness for believers remains the greatest challenge. We should be grateful to Vatican II, who reminded us that all Christians are called to the fullness of Christian life and perfection of charity.
Dear brothers, do not be afraid to accept this challenge: be holy men and women. Do not forget that the fruits of the apostolate depend on the depth of spiritual life, the intensity of prayer, constant training and a sincere adherence to the guidelines of the Church. I repeat today what I told you young people during the recent World Youth Day: if you are what you ought to be, that is, if you live Christianity without compromise, you can burn the world.
I hope tasks and goals that can should seem disproportionate to human forces. Do not be discouraged. "He who began a good work among you, shall proceed" (Phil 1: 6). Always keep your gaze fixed on Jesus. Make it the heart of the world.
And you, Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, his first and perfect disciple, help us to be his witnesses in the new millennium. Make your Son, King of the universe and of history, reign in our lives, our communities and the world.
"Praise and honor to you, O Christ!". With your cross you have redeemed the world. We entrust the beginning of the new millennium, our commitment to serve this world that you love and that we also love. Sustain the strength of your grace. Amen.
Pope John Paul II. Solemnity of Christ the King. November 26, 2000.
Let us live our Sunday throughout the week.
1. Do I have awareness that the Kingdom that Jesus gives me is not of this world and that is governed by their own criteria? The only way to access the Kingdom promised by Jesus is to be a friend of Truth
2. L a reading of Revelation reminds me of my vocation, I am called to be Jesus' friend. Do I live according to my call? What should I do?
3. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church numerals: 446-451526. 543-544. 1852. 1861.
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