Christ The King Sunday Year B - 21/11/2021 - Gospel: Jn 18: 33b-37
King of Truth
Some people claim s/he is queen/ king of love. Jesus made no such claim, but His love was extended to all mankind. Jesus even forgave and prayed for those who persecuted Him. 'Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing' Lk 23;34. In this sense, Jesus is King of forgiveness. He volunteered to die for His love of mankind. He is not just King of love in the ordinary sense of the word, but King of everlasting love. At His trial, several times, Pilate asked about Jesus' kingdom. Jesus told Pilate not to worry about His Kingdom, because His Kingdom was not of this world, but of the eternal world. Since there was no threat; Pilate felt, there was no need to kill Jesus, but the Jews demanded Jesus' death. Pilate asked them 'Do you want me to crucify your king? They answered 'We have no king except Caesar'. Jn 19:16. Rejecting the heavenly King, they embraced their earthly king. Pilate officially declared Jesus' kingship when he placed an inscription over the cross, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews' Jn 19,19. The Jews wanted Pilate to change his inscription, but he insisted 'What I have written, I have written'. Jesus died on the cross, as King of Israel.
That Jesus rose from death established His New Kingdom. Jesus is the victorious King because He has conquered the power of sin and death. His baptism on earth gave birth to our Baptism, which is the everlasting 'trade mark' for those who believe in Jesus. He came to the world to establish the bridge connecting the Divinity to our humanity. His passion, the thorny crown on His head, brought meanings to our thorny issues of life. The cross on His shoulder exemplified our daily struggle to fight for justice and peace. His hanging on the cross drew us nearer to God. His blood poured on the cross glorified the blood of all holy martyrs. The wounds on His side, hands and feet represented the wounds of humanity. The answer He gave to Pilate, and His promise to the repentant thief confirmed Jesus Christ is King of the universe. Jesus answered Pilate,
'Mine is not a kingdom of this world... my kingdom is not this kind'. So you are a king then? Jesus answered, 'Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness for the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice' Jn 18:33-38.
Jesus made clear His kingdom was not of this world, and He refused to fight for an earthly kingdom. Earthly kings demand their subjects to serve them, to sacrifice for their safety. Jesus is King Who died for, sacrificed Himself and gave everlasting life for His disciples.
On the cross, one of the criminals pleaded with Him,
'Remember me when you come into your kingdom. Indeed, I promise you, he replied 'Today you will be with me in paradise'. Lk 23,43.
Jesus pardoned the criminal who asked for forgiveness. He is the King of reconciliation for those who wish to reconcile to Him. Jesus is King of the Sacraments, since all our Sacraments came from His teaching. He is King of truth, 'those who are on the side of truth listen to my voice'. The truth is 'The Word became flesh and lived among us' Jn 1:14. The Word was God Jn 1:1.
John the Baptist believed Jesus' Kingship was hidden on the cross, John told his disciples: 'Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world' Jn 1;29. Jesus Himself confirmed John's belief in the statement that
'The Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up' Jn 3;13. Jesus is King of those who follow His way.
That Jesus rose from death established His New Kingdom. Jesus is the victorious King because He has conquered the power of sin and death. His baptism on earth gave birth to our Baptism, which is the everlasting 'trade mark' for those who believe in Jesus. He came to the world to establish the bridge connecting the Divinity to our humanity. His passion, the thorny crown on His head, brought meanings to our thorny issues of life. The cross on His shoulder exemplified our daily struggle to fight for justice and peace. His hanging on the cross drew us nearer to God. His blood poured on the cross glorified the blood of all holy martyrs. The wounds on His side, hands and feet represented the wounds of humanity. The answer He gave to Pilate, and His promise to the repentant thief confirmed Jesus Christ is King of the universe. Jesus answered Pilate,
'Mine is not a kingdom of this world... my kingdom is not this kind'. So you are a king then? Jesus answered, 'Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness for the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice' Jn 18:33-38.
Jesus made clear His kingdom was not of this world, and He refused to fight for an earthly kingdom. Earthly kings demand their subjects to serve them, to sacrifice for their safety. Jesus is King Who died for, sacrificed Himself and gave everlasting life for His disciples.
On the cross, one of the criminals pleaded with Him,
'Remember me when you come into your kingdom. Indeed, I promise you, he replied 'Today you will be with me in paradise'. Lk 23,43.
Jesus pardoned the criminal who asked for forgiveness. He is the King of reconciliation for those who wish to reconcile to Him. Jesus is King of the Sacraments, since all our Sacraments came from His teaching. He is King of truth, 'those who are on the side of truth listen to my voice'. The truth is 'The Word became flesh and lived among us' Jn 1:14. The Word was God Jn 1:1.
John the Baptist believed Jesus' Kingship was hidden on the cross, John told his disciples: 'Look, there is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world' Jn 1;29. Jesus Himself confirmed John's belief in the statement that
'The Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up' Jn 3;13. Jesus is King of those who follow His way.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
