“Then are You a King?” – Pilate could not accept the Truth Who looked him in the face
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (November 25, 2018): DN 7:13-14;PS 93:1-2,5; RV 1:5-8; JN 18:33-37
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today we celebrate the feast established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in honor of Christ the King.
He saw the day as the Church’s response to the rising secularism and atheism of the times. As followers of Christ, we need to recognize His supreme power in time and eternity. The Son of God, our Savior and the head of the Church reigns now and always – and we need to acknowledge this to truly understand the boundless love He has for us and our personal relationship with Him.
In the Gospel for this day, we hear the questions and answers between Jesus and Pontius Pilate. The Roman procurator thought he knew exactly what a king should be. He knew about Caesar and other lesser monarchs. They certainly had earthly power, but they used it for themselves, out of pride and a desire to control others. The Prisoner who stood before him that Good Friday knew better. “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” (John 18:37). Of course, Pilate and those who goaded him into trying and convicting our innocent and holy Lord grasped nothing of truth. But those of us who worship Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, are privileged to call Him our King and grateful to serve Him all our days.
