Gospel Reflection Nov 24 – Fr. Black
Sunday, November 24
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Jn 18: 33b-37
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
As the church liturgical year comes to an end, we move into the joyful season of Advent. But before we do that, the church reminds us in today’s Gospel of the reason for the coming of Jesus, namely His suffering, death and resurrection. On this solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we hear a portion of the Gospel account of Jesus’ arrest and persecution. Jesus and Pilate have this exchange that attempts to clarify the Kingship of Jesus. The primary stumbling block for Pilate is that he is thinking of an earthly reign, rather than a Heavenly one. In an attempt to refocus Pilate, Jesus points out that if His Kingdom were of this world, His earthly followers would defend Him. Instead, His defense would come from the hand of the Father on Easter Sunday.
So as we, the church, move into the Season of preparation for the birth of our Savior, let us remember that all that the Son did and said while He walked this temporary world was directed to the Eternal Kingdom. A Kingdom that calls us all, a Kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ and a Kingdom that is Eternal.
Father James Black