Solemnity of Christ the King
First Reading | Daniel 7:13-14
Today’s reading is written like an apocalyptic verse—a genre often used to write to people who are being persecuted, to encourage them to persevere in their faith. This genre uses the imagery of a time of reward following one of suffering. In addition, it is written as a code that is not easily understood by the enemy.
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.
Responsorial Psalm | 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 | Revelation 1:5-8
Jesus will come again and He will be indisputably recognized as God. In the Incarnation, Jesus comes discreetly. Therefore, when He comes again, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Jesus the Lord. Similarly, life is our opportunity to prepare the way for Jesus’ return. In conclusion, let us do our part in building God’s Kingdom.
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
Solemnity of Christ the King. Jesus does not deny that He is a king. But His definition of kingship is different from the secular one. Jesus’ kingship is one of service designed to reveal God’s love and the gift of salvation. His reign is a spiritual one and is not a threat to Pilate. However, Pilate is a deeply flawed and insecure man, and even the use of the word “king” makes him worried about his future. Above all, let us pray for security in our experience of God’s love and never worry about our status in His presence.
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.”
