Solemnity of Christ the King (B)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

34th Sunday of the Year (B), November 25, 2012

Solemnity of Christ the King

Liturgical readings


Daniel 7:13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:5-8
John 18:33b-37

"As it is, my kingdom is not here."


The gospel presents Jesus being interrogated by Pilate with the initial question, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Then the first reading from the book of Daniel presents the image of the Son of Man, who upon reaching the Ancient One, received dominion, glory and kingship. The responsorial psalm then chants with: "The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty." And the second reading begins with this line: "Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead and ruler of the kings of earth." All four Scripture passages speak of the Lord Jesus as our King.


The Kingdom Jesus wants to establish begins in our hearts. When the quality of our faith grows to the level of quality as the good soil in the parable of the sower and the seed, then God's Kingdom will be established well in us. Jesus began this mission of building this Kingdom with the apostles and His other disciples. But it was at Pentecost that this Kingdom became a community of men and women, with one mind and heart in God. As this community grew, they shared God's Word and and celebrated His Life. The Church continues this mission and leads all the members of God's Kingdom towards their eternal destiny.


God's kingdom is born and reborn in every one at a baptismal consecration. It is a Kingdom where God's mercy and goodness abides. As members of this Kingdom, we are called to do our part so that our hearts are in accord with God's Heart (and to call others to believe in the Kingdom). One tradition which Catholics follow for God's Kingdom to dwell in the home is to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the house. A priest officiates the rite of enthronement. Once the Sacred Heart is already enthroned in a home, all that is needed is to renew that consecration. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus helps the family see God as the true King and Lord of the home.

Points for reflection: In what ways can we make the Heart of God and His Kingdom reign in our hearts?

33rd Sunday of the Year (B)

"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."

1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44

"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."


1 Kings 17:10-16 and Mark 12:38-44 both present widows as protagonists in their stories. Despite their poverty, these widows still continued in their trust and confidence in Yahweh. The prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:10-16) and Jesus (Mark 12:38-44) showed to these widows that God cares for them and all the little ones in society. Both Elijah and Jesus did not look at the poverty of the widows, but more on their great virtue of faith and trust in God. The faith of the widow in 1 Kings 17:10-16 saved her (and her only son) from hunger and death, while the widow in Mark's gospel earned her much praise from Jesus, and the attention she deserved from everyone in the synagogue who listened to Jesus.


Psalm 146 expresses well how God takes good care of the least of His children:


"The Lord ... secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free ...
The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those that are bowed down;
The Lord loves the just ...
The fatherless and the widow He sustains ... (Psalm 146:7ff)


The example of the two widows helps us learn very well that God should be our true hope and our future. Despite their dire situation, they opened their hearts so that God's providential care may enter their lives. We too are called to be open and to see how the Lord wants to enter our lives. We need not wait to be in dire straits (like the two widows in the readings), before we realize the value of placing our hope and trust in God. God calls us always. And sometimes in moments when we least expect it. Through the relationships and work we have in our respective states of life, God calls us and shows His desire to dwell in our hearts and souls. Our response is simple: to place our trust and confidence in Him, and to persevere in our faith and in His promise of eternal life.