Solemnity of Christ the King
1ST READING
We read another apocalyptic writing that embellishes and glorifies a religious figure. It is not necessarily an end-time image. The subtitle to this reading tells me that the primary message is that the sovereignty of the person spoken of in the text is eternal. We can assume that we are talking about God. Importantly, we are reminded that not only is God’s sovereignty assured but also that of His Kingdom to which we belong and for which we strive to serve.
Daniel 7:13-14
13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.
P S A L M
Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5
R: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
1 The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. (R) And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. 2 Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed; holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. (R)
SECOND READING
The Church places this reading from the Book of Revelation with the First Reading from Daniel such that they are mutually interpretative. Are they speaking of the same reality? Probably not but their message is similar enough to enable us to combine their message. This text reminds us that we are called to unite ourselves with the One who has unending sovereignty.
Revelation 1:5-8
5 Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”
GOSPEL
Jesus does not claim an earthly kingdom for Himself. His authority is for the eternal Kingdom. This explains His lack of concern for earthly realities. What matters is that we get the eternal realities of faith in the right perspective and then the rest will follow in its own time. Jesus does have earthly authority, but this is not the focus of the Gospel as it is concerned with eternal life, not this passing life on earth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
John 18:33-37
33 Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” 35 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?” 36 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.” 37 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.”
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