24 Nov • Following Christ the King
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. In our Gospel, we hear that Jesus' Kingdom is not of this world, and yet, all creation is indeed subject to him, and if we are to live in truth, we must listen to his voice. In a democracy, we do that with our votes and with how we treat our employees and employers, but above all, we are to proclaim Christ as King to others, not forcing them to believe, but inviting them.
Based on John 18:33b–37
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that 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.’
(New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org)
