Solemnity of Christ the King (B)

First reading: Daniel 7:13-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 93
Second reading: Revelation 1:5-8
Gospel reading: John 18:33-37

"My kingdom does not belong to this world."

The Solemnity of Christ the King is also the 34th or Last Sunday
of the Year (B). The gospel is taken from John. It is the story
of Pilate interrogating Christ Jesus - asking if He were the king
of the Jews. Jesus responded with a question, asking Pilate if he
was asking this on his own, or because of what others are telling
Pilate about Him. The verbal exchanges soon led to Jesus telling
Pilate that His kingdom does not belong to this world, and that
the reason why He came into the world is to testify to the truth.

According to George MacRae in his book "Invitation to John", when
Jesus was handed over to Pilate as described in John 18:30, this
created the discussion and verbal exchanges between them. Pilate
represents "the world" and tries to avoid getting involved with
Jesus. This becomes stronger in the following verses after this
gospel passage. Jesus on His part, reveals the truth about
Himself and the kingdom. He ends the first part of His discussion
with Pilate by saying, "Anyone committed to the truth hears My
voice."

If we imagine placing ourselves in this gospel scene, let us try
to capture what thoughts or feelings we might have as an onlooker
to the verbal exchanges between Pilate and Jesus. Where would I
lean towards: on the side of Jesus and His kingdom, or on the
side of Pilate and "the world"? How well do I know Jesus and His
kingdom? Would His being handed over to Pilate bring me closer
to faith in Him and the truth about His kingdom? Do I believe He
is King even if He was "handed over"?

33rd Sunday of the Year (B)

Solemnity of All Saints

First reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24
Second reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a

"Be glad and rejoice, for your reward in heaven is great."

Since the Solemnity of All Saints coincides with the Sunday Mass,
we will reflect on the gospel of Matthew for All Saints' Day. The
passage from Matthew presents to us an image of Jesus as a "new
Moses", who goes up on the mountainside, and teaches His disciples
the "charter of holiness" - the Beatitudes. Jesus emphasizes how
every disciple of His kingdom will be blessed if they are: poor
in spirit, mournful and in sorrow, lowly and meek, hungry and
thirsting for holiness, merciful, pure and single-hearted,
peacemakers, and persecuted for holiness' sake. Jesus encourages
these "saints" of His kingdom that their reward in heaven is
great.

In his book, "From One Jesus to Four Gospels", Herman Hendrickx
teaches us that the four traditional beatitudes (the poor, those
who hunger and thirst, those who mourn and are sorrowful, and the
persecuted) are joined with four other beatitudes (the meek, the
merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers) in Matthew's
version (because the evangelist Luke also has a version of the
Beatitudes). Hendrickx continues to add that these eight
beatitudes are really a list of virtues or attitudes, that are
to be practiced by all of us, who are invited to respond to the
universal call to holiness. Living these beatitudes will make
us true disciples of Christ in His kingdom.

All of us are aware of the reality of competition. Competition is
good if we bring out the best in ourselves and in others without
destroying the goodness of our competition. And we must also
place this reality of competition within the context of truth
that all of us have been created by the Father for a specific
role and task in the world - equally important and essential in
His eyes and a vital part in His divine plan. Jesus teaches us
eight paths to holiness where we can let His Light, and the power
of the Holy Spirit to shine through us, and make us be our best
for God. Whatever path we take, we have responded to His will
and His command to be "holy as the Father is holy". Let us
therefore thank the Father for the gift of His Son Jesus, from
whom we learn the pathways to sanctity and virtuous deeds and
actions. Let us also thank God for the gift of the many saints
and holy men and women in our Church, who attest to the truth
that holiness is possible if we pray for strength and fortitude,
have faith in the word of Christ and put it into action.