|
|
|
|
Word To Life
|
Sunday Scripture Readings, Nov. 22, 2009
By Jeff Hensley
Catholic News Service
November 22, Feast of Christ the King
Cycle B Readings:
1) Daniel 7:13-14
Psalm 93:1-2, 5
2) Revelation 1:5-8
Gospel: John 18:33b-37
Pilate questioned questions Jesus, who stood stands before him: "Are you the king of the Jews?"
In answer, Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world, or his followers would be fighting to defend him.
Jesus is a mystery to Pilate and anyone else watching him. A kingdom not of this world? What is he talking about?
This week's other readings present an entirely different picture of the kingship of Jesus. In Daniel, "one like a Son of Man" comes on the clouds of heaven and is presented to the Ancient One to receive "dominion, glory and kingship; all peoples, nations and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion."
The Revelation passage tells us that he who loves us "has freed us from our sins by his blood" and "made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever."
Like Jesus before Pilate, we in the kingdom of God are a mystery. We look so ordinary, but to others we are the same sort of contradiction that Jesus presented to Pilate.
For instance, yesterday after church I saw one of the king's followers: She is a grandmother of 11 children. She was small, driving an older car, but her smile was bright with the eternal hope that lights her life. Her works of mercy, kindness and love, working with mothers to help them carry their babies to term, stretch across three decades.
I remember recognizing another from the kingdom walking into my office a few years ago: A college professor of business ethics, he was mild-mannered, thoughtful, wearing sandals with a business suit. He is a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, a group that helps maintain the church's religious sites in the Holy Land and supports her people by building schools and hospitals. A follower of the once-persecuted but now exalted Son of Man, he works at bringing God's wisdom to the world of business. He has doubtless been a mystery -- and a light -- to many around him who are more driven by monetary gain.
Like Jesus, we are a mystery to those who see us serving a king whose kingdom is not of this world. Perhaps their curiosity will lead them to him.
QUESTIONS:
Do you know people who puzzle those around them by following Jesus, their king? What can you do to follow Jesus more closely in your everyday life?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"My kingdom does not belong to this world" (John 18:36b).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
|
|
|
|
