SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING

Open with a prayer: Christ our King, you are the Ancient One, promised from the beginning. Your earthly coming and death on the cross freed us from sin and made of us a royal nation in the service of God. Your Kingdom is an everlasting reign, steadfast and glorious. For you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. You will come on a throne of glory and power to judge the living and the dead at the end of time. May the power of your kingship over the cosmos deeply touch our hearts today as we probe your Word of life. Amen.

Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this Thanksgiving season?

Facilitator reads focus statement: On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King. Instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1952, to combat the growing secularism and atheism of his time, it is one of the so-called "idea feasts" that do not celebrate an event in the life of Jesus but rather some aspect of his identity. In it we recognize and honor Christ as ruler of all. Today’s Responsorial Psalm: "The Lord is King, he is robed in majesty," captures well the mood of the readings on this Feast of Christ the King. The Gospel emphasizes the exaltation of Jesus as King. But before he was exalted, he was first "handed over," "put on trial", and "pierced." A setting of persecution and oppression forms the backdrop of today’s first and second readings. Both readings record a vision given to one of God’s holy ones. The message received is one of hope and assurance that God’s people will be vindicated.

Read the readings, pausing briefly after each one.

FIRST READING: Daniel 7:13-14

The early Christians believed that the "Son of Man" mentioned in the first reading as a reference to Jesus. The "Ancient One" refers to God who recognizes the "Son of Man" as receiving kingship over all the peoples, nations and languages that serve him – a very suitable reading for this feast.

PSALM 93

This psalm celebrates Yahweh’s re-enthronement as King of Israel. It sings of God’s domain over all of creation. Christian tradition has applied these verses to Christ the King in his role as cosmic ruler.

SECOND READING: Revelation 1:5-8

Christ is identified as the "faithful witness," who testifies to God’s truth to the point of death, one who has made us "a royal nation of priests in the service of God." When the "Son of Man" comes in the clouds, people shall lament him, because of the way he was pierced and put to death. The terms Alpha (beginning) and Omega (end) refer to the eternal nature of God who initiated history and will bring it to conclusion.

GOSPEL: John 18:33b-37

Today’s Gospel is an excerpt from Jesus’ trial before Pilate. The chosen verses are a dialogue between Jesus and Pilate on the nature of Jesus’ kingship. When asked by Pilate if he is a king, Jesus points out that his kingship is not of this world. Rather, his kingship is about "testifying and witnessing to the truth." Jesus’ kingship is one that seeks "allegiance of the heart" from his people. Jesus wants to be "King of our hearts." Jesus’ kingship does not seek to lord it over people. Rather, it seeks to serve. We know from watching Jesus that the only way to enter his kingdom is through trust in God and a life of service.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse spoke to you most? Why?

2. How would you describe the Kingdom of God to a stranger? How does the Kingdom of God differ from worldly kingdoms?

3. What does it mean to you to say, "Jesus is King of my life"?

4. This weekend we conclude another liturgical year. Was there one liturgical celebration that stood out for you or one event in your life?

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Especially pray for earthly rulers that justice, peace, love and truth may be hallmarks of their "kingdoms". Pray for all travelers during this season.