May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
We celebrate Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time as the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As we conclude the liturgical time of the ordinary time and are ready to enter the Advent, the celebration grants us hope, consolation and strength to move forward.
We reflect on Daniel 7:13-14; the Second reading is from Revelation 1:5-8 and the Gospel of John 18:33-37. We read the entrance antiphon of the Mass from Revelation, “How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honour. To him belong glory and power forever and ever.” (Rev.5:12; 1:6)
A king wanted his capital to be moved to the top of the mountain with all the inhabitants and the wealth of the royal house. The people and the king were climbing along with all possible riches of pearls and diamond stones, gold, silver contained in several boxes on the horseback. As they were about to reach the mountain top, one of the horses slipped and fell on the other horses. Seeing the riches were falling, all people were running madly to collect. There was no one left except a young boy. The king persuaded him to collect his share. But the boy with firm conviction told the king that he wanted to follow him, the king of the hearts because he is the source, the resource and the strength and salvation of the nation.
Yes, we all wonder how far this feast fits in the modern context. Is Jesus a King? King of who?
Jesus is called King of kings and Lord and lords (Revelations 19:16).
“He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” (Matthew 27:42).
The king, the kingdom, the kingdom of God are the major themes of the Scripture.
In the first reading the prophet Daniel consoles and strengthens people who were under the persecution of the Syrian king, and he promises them that there is going to be a king, the Son of Man, the holy ones of the Most High who will free people from persecution, pain, and lift their lives. This promise or prophecy is directed to Jesus. “To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” (Rev.7:14).
In the second reading, we have the vision of the Risen Christ as Lord to those who were faced with persecution. The dignity, power and sovereignty belong to Christ. He is the First and the Last (the Alpha and the Omega). The message to those who were persecuted from the reading is that they are safe and secured because God rescues them and bring them together.
Gospel presents us with the scene of the Passion narrative. Obeying the will of the Father, willing to be humiliated and laid down his life for humanity is the outstanding characteristic of the Universal King, Jesu. Even though Jewish authorities denounced Him as King of the Jews and Jesus rebuts to them that His kingdom does not belong to the earthly kingdom but far more gloriously rich with hearts full of love. “We have no king but Caesar.” Pilate acknowledged Jesus’ innocent. He was crowned with thorns and seated as the kings of Jews. God brings tribes together those who are scattered. Longing for united under the umbrella of God is still alive and
Jesus includes everyone on board.
The question of Pilate is not the question of us or the Church: “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Even though Jesus claims, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world,” we all acknowledge to be the Lord, the Saviour, the Redeemer and the Anoint one and the Son of God.
He invites us to bear witness to the truth because of our total allegiance to Him alone. “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” What is the significance or meaning of Jesus’ kingship for us?
God at first did not want to give his people Israel a king. Why? Because God alone was their King, and they needed no other. Nonetheless, God relented and promised his people that through David’s line he would establish a Ruler and a Kingdom that would last for eternity (Psalm 89:29).
From the start of the creation Adam, David, and Jesus. David is the new Adam; Jesus is the new David. A king who unites loves and heals.
The Jews understood that the Messiah (“Anointed One”) would come as God’s anointed King to restore paradise and establish God’s reign of everlasting peace for them.
Does Jesus claim Kingship? He conquered human hearts with his life-giving words and healing ministry. His rule does not have jurisdiction, place, palace and power except the service, hearts, and presence. Bringing everything under the reign of God. And that is why, we all pray in the prayer of Our Father: “Your Kingdom come.”
Who do you want to serve? Kings of the world or the King of hearts, the universal king?
It is all up to us to follow the kingdom of truth, blessings, charity, justice, and peace. May the King of hearts bless each one of us.