Gospel: John 18:33-37
A
s the Church's year comes to an end this Sun- day, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. This feast, as Msgr. Francis D. Kelly tells us in his text "Through the Church Year," was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI." Msgr. Kelly contin- ues to inform us that "through this feast, Pope Pius XI wanted to reassert the ultimate, universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ and his law of truth and love" in a time when "certain secular rulers were launching dictatori- al regimes that would soon become diabolical vehicles of hatred and destruction." In John 18:33-37, the sovereignty of Jesus Christ as king is brought into question by Pontius Pilate during Christ's interrogation. During this interrogation, in verse 36, Jesus explains to Pilate that "my kingdom does not belong to this world - my kingdom is not here." In verse 37, Jesus reasserts to Pilate, "for this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." The dialogue between Pilate and Jesus presents to us an important question, namely, "What is the Kingdom of God of which Jesus speaks?" "The Catechism of the Catholic Church" defines the kingdom of God as "the reign or rule of God - the kingdom of God draws near in the coming of the Incarnate Word; it is announced in the Gospel; it is the messianic kingdom, present in the person of Jesus, the Messiah." The Catechism goes on to note, importantly, that the kingdom of God "re- mains in our midst in the Eucharist." It also teaches us that "Christ gave to his Apostles the work of proclaim- ing the kingdom, and through the Holy Spirit, forms his people into a priestly kingdom, the Church, in which the kingdom of God is mysteriously present." In "The Catholic Bible Dictionary," author Scott Hahn notes that "there is (an) idealistic or mystical dimen- sion (to the kingdom of God) in which the kingdom is understood as "being present in the heart of the believer." Thus, in those who believe in Christ, God's reign extends to control their lives and in their hearts, Christ reigns as Lord." This mystical understanding of the presence of the kingdom of God in the world seems to undergird the establish- ment of Christ the King as a solemnity in the Church's calendar. As the irreligious political regimes of the times attempted to spread their er- rors among the people, Pope Pius XI attempted to protect God's faithful by encourag- ing them to make Christ their absolute ruler and king. By making Christ their king in this way, he would reign in their hearts so the faith- ful would reject the errors of Communism, socialism and facism. In John 18:37, Jesus teaches Pontius Pilate that "everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." In re- sponse, Pilate asks of Christ: What is truth?" In the com- mentary on this passage in "The Sacra Pagina" Scrip- ture volume on the Gospel of John, the commentators explain that "Pilate's question is a dismissive rejection of the word of Jesus and not the sign of a searching, philosophical mind." Pilate's question also seems to suggest that truth is a subjective, rather than an objec- tive, reality. Modern moral relativism, which suggests that morality is a matter of personal opinion, seems to echo Pilate's attitude toward truth. As we celebrate Christ the King, let us ask Christ to more firmly reign in our hearts, minds and souls, so that Christ's kingdom may be victorious in us, vanquishing the forces of evil and moral confusion at work in the world. Reading: Daniel 7:13-14
H
is dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed." Our Scripture selection from the Book of Daniel is key to understanding Jesus' concept of the "kingdom of God" and today's solemn feast. The particular passage is essentially a background text that provides clarification and understanding. Daniel's vision was most familiar to the Lord and through it he came to understand his eternal destiny. Jesus must have reflected frequently on this prophetic vision. Reading the Gospel for this feast (Jn. 18:33-37) against the passage from Daniel sheds light on Jesus' mission and the kingdom that he inaugurated. I saw one like the Son of Man coming, on the clouds of heaven." Through a process of prayer and contem- plation, Jesus came to understand his identity in terms of the "Son of Man" as interpreted by the Prophet Dan- iel. The title is a broad one in the Old Testament and had undergone development in the Israelite tradition. In Daniel, the "Son of Man" is a divinely chosen ambas- sador who will be equipped with power to establish God's reign upon the earth. The "Ancient One" bestows upon him "dominion, glory and kingship." All peoples and nations shall be subject unto him. His kingdom will endure forever; it shall not be taken away from him nor destroyed. Hence, it is obvious that this critical Old Testament passage is foundational for Jesus' proclamation that the "kingdom of God is at hand," in our very midst. God will be the king of this kingdom. The law of this kingdom will be the "law of love." It is an inclusive kingdom for all peoples. Jesus gave us the divine as- surance that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." In his earthly ministry, Jesus was not comfortable with the title king being applied to him. On numerous occasions, the people sought to place that title and designation on him; however, he shied away from accept- ing their gesture. The Jewish people anticipated an earthly king with all of the political trappings. Jesus clearly was not that secular kind of king. In our Gospel, he responded to Pilate's questioning this way: "My kingdom does not belong to this world." (Pilate persisted in accusing him of being an earthly king) "But as it is, my kingdom is not here." As the dialogue con- tinues, Jesus boldly states You say that I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world." One must understand the concept of "kingdom of God" as found in the Gospel tradition. It refers to the rule of God, or the reign of God over the universe. Bottom line: God is in control now. The power of the evil one has been destroyed with the Resurrection of Jesus. That battle and defeat of evil however continue to this very day. Jesus, the Son of Man, came to establish that kingdom once and for all. The battle will be complete when all creation is subject unto him. It is fitting that the feast of Christ the King should occur at the end of the Church's liturgical year. In a sense, it is a culmination experience. It affirms the absolute authority and exalted position of Christ as he reigns seated at the Father's side. The feast is an acknowledgment of the ultimate triumph of the Re- deemer Christ. All creation is subject unto him. Praise be Jesus Christ both now and forever!
Ask Christ to reign in us All creation is subject to him
NOVEMBER 19, 2021 THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
COMMENTARY 5
SUNDAY'S GOOD NEWS Father Michael N. Lavallee REFLECTING ON SCRIPTURE Father Conrad S. Pecevich
FUNDAMENTALS OF CATHOLICISM I
W
e have already considered the glorification and the Second Coming of Jesus. If we ask ourselves what Jesus is going to do when he comes again, we can look to the New Testament and to the Creed for the answer: He is coming to judge the living and the dead. The thought of judgement is not very congenial to us. The notion is mostly associated with criminal courts and wrongdoing of one sort or another. There is a problem involved in deciding who is right and who is wrong, or who is guilty and who is innocent. Because we are social beings and live together in community, there are bound to be conflicts of rights. In order to resolve such conflicts there is need for judgment and judges. Though neces- sary, the process is painful and we would like to avoid it if at all possible. When it comes to our relationship with God we are es- pecially apprehensive about the prospect of being judged by him. For "all things are naked and open to his eyes," as we read in Hebrews (4:13), and not one of us is sinless. From our catechetical instruction we know that the Church teaches a twofold judgment of God: the particular judgment that each one experiences immediately after death, and the general judgment that will take place at the end of the world or the Second Coming of Christ when the historical process will be brought to a close. The judgment of God in this sense is the final act whereby he settles forever the destiny of the free creature - either to eternal punishment in hell or to eternal reward in heaven. The basis of God's judgment is faith and good works or charity. Those who believe and live their faith accordingly will be saved; those who believe but do not love God and neighbor will be condemned; those who re- fuse to believe that Jesus is the Christ and those who, not having heard about Christ, refuse the grace of God that is given them (1 Tim 2:4), will also be lost. When the Creed says that Jesus will judge "the living and the dead," it means that he will judge all men - past, present and future. No person will escape his judgment. Since all men are subject to sin (Rom 5), they are all like- wise subject to death (Rom 6:23). Even Christ and Mary had to die. Some have interpreted "the living" in the Creed to mean those in a state of grace, and "the dead" to mean those in sin. However, "the living" can also mean those who are still on this earth at the time of the Second Coming. Since all men are subject to death, the most probable meaning is that they will die and be brought before the judgment seat of Christ in an instant. The judgment of Christ will bring to light who has believed and lived the Gos- pel and who has not. The Gospels make it clear that the believer has already been judged favorably and so has nothing whatever to fear from the particular or gen- eral judgment. The particular judgment will give confir- mation to the individual that he or she is saved, while the general judgment will be a public manifestation of the power and glory of Christ. In the Creed, the explicit reference is only to the general or Last Judgment. The Church also teaches, in the Council of Florence (1439), that the particular judgment of the in- dividual follows soon after his death. A great deal of mystery surrounds our personal exis- tence as human beings, our origin and our destiny. We did not ask to be created, nor did God ask us. Out of pure love, he created us and endowed us with many gifts, both natural and supernatural. Like the steward in the Gospel who must give an accounting of his stewardship, we must give an accounting to God. The final scrutiny will center around our faith and our love - both of God and man. Jesus is our model for both. He has also left us a graphic description of the Last Judgment in Matthew (25:31-46). NEXT WEEK: JESUS' ETERNAL KINGDOM: "In God's good time, world history will come to an end and the power of his grace will be manifest."
Jesus will judge the living and the dead
The basis of God's judgment is faith and good works or charity.
BY FATHER KENNETH BAKER, SJ
CATHOLIC QUIZI
Copyright by CatholicQuiz.com - Reproduce for educational use
CatholicQuiz of the Week Solemnity of Christ the King November 21, 2021 1. What did Daniel see coming on the clouds of heaven in his famous vision?
a. four wild beasts b. a Son of man c. a chariot of fire
2. According to Daniel, how long will the kingdom of the Son of man last?
a. seven years b. forty years c. forever
3. According to the psalmist, "The Lord is _____, robed with majesty; the Lord is robed, girded with might."
a. shepherd b. king c. prophet
4. According to Revelation, how will Jesus return to judge the world?
a. in a fiery chariot b. with fire and brimstone c. amid the clouds
5. What does "alpha" and "omega" mean?
a. the one and the many b. the first and the last c. unity and diversity
6. According to John, how did Jesus respond to Pilate's question, "What have you done?"
a. I am the king of the Jews b. My kingdom doesn't belong to this world c. Jesus did not respond
7. According to the Gospel of John, when brought before Pilate, Jesus denied that he was a king.
a. True b. False
Answers and References
1 b. a Son of man (Daniel 7:13) 2 c. forever (Daniel: 7:14) 3 b. king (Psalm 93:1) 4 c. amid the clouds (Revelation 1:7) 5 b. the first and the last (Revelation 1:8) 6 b. My kingdom doesn't belong to this world (John 18:36) 7 b. false (John 18:36)
THE CREED
Previous Page