FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD
24 NOVEMBER 2024
SOLEMNITY OF JESUS CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE
WORD of the DAY
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.” (John 18: 33b-37)
How shall I live this Word?
The liturgy closes the “liturgical year” by celebrating “Christ the King”, a solemnity promulgated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. With it, he wanted to affirm the sovereignty of Christ over humanity and institutions in the face of the advance of atheism.
King. There is no word less appropriate for Jesus. A king who touches the lepers, who prefers the common people to the powerful of the people. A king who washes feet, a king who has no money and can’t defend himself. Jesus crucified is a strange king. His throne is the cross; His crown is made of thorns. He has no robe; He is naked. He has no army. Even His own have abandoned Him.
Kingdom. Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God. A kingdom in which the last of the world are first. A kingdom that prefers tax collectors and prostitutes to the pure scholars and Pharisees. A kingdom without thrones, without palace, without army, without power. A kingdom of poor widows, who give two cents in alms. A kingdom of Samaritans, who take care of the wounded. A kingdom where the simple are children. A kingdom of poor, who know how to suffer, with their hearts clean; who are committed to justice.
Reign. In our world reign terror, reign misery, reign exploitation, reign revenge, reign dirty business, reign violence. When in our world will there be mutual trust; when everyone will live decently; when there will be no illiterate people; when business will be honest; when we will settle for less…? Only then can we start talking about God reigning. From within, by the humanization of hearts.
Jesus is an atypical king. He is so special that we too risk not understanding anything. And how does this king be so original? Jesus reigns by forgiving, loving, starting from a situation of humiliation and impotence. We are told where and how Jesus earns this title of king: in the giving of His life until death.
Christ the King, help me to live in the manner of your Father’s Kingdom.
The voice of Saint Augustine
Those who have their heart turned to Christ the King do not live only for themselves, but for others, as Christ lived for us.
E-mail: srmterzo@gmail.com Website: www.sanbiagio.org info@sanbiagio.org Blog: livingscripture.wordpress.com -Comment: Sr. Yarislet Berrios, FMA
