We often define historical kingdoms as vast amounts of geography ruled by a person who makes decisions based on a perception of truth supportive of what he or she wants and/or needs. This can be either a positive or a negative experience, depending on the benevolent or dictatorial state of mind of the ruler. Today, most royalty are figureheads who represent political leaders who rule kingdoms for better or worse.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us about a kingdom not of this world that is structured on love, mercy and forgiveness. The ruler, God the Father, made His kingdom for the express purpose of sharing it with those who are faithful to the truth He shares with those He created. If we decide we want to be part of that, all we need do is hand over our lives to His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins, was raised from the dead to open the gates of His heavenly kingdom for us and promises to return to judge the faithful and wicked with justice.
The feast of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Observed on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, it focuses on who Christ is as our King and Lord, on His second and final coming, the Last Judgment and the end of the world. It also is a reminder to us that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, will and bodies if we are to follow His ways in establishing the earthly idea of God’s heavenly Kingdom here.
Our readings from The Book of Prophet Daniel and Revelation along with St. John’s Gospel, all confirm Jesus as our King. Daniel envisions the Son of Man (a title Jesus uses often about Himself) with God the Father receiving dominion, glory and kingship over all that exists forever. Revelation verifies His kingship with glory and power forever and marks Him as the Alpha and Omega (beginning and end) of all that was, is and will be.
It is in St. John’s Gospel that Jesus’ Kingship is challenged by the non-believer Pontius Pilate who is unable to recognize the truth of who Jesus is as the Son of God. Pilate doesn’t understand a kingdom that is spiritual in nature. How can such an entity rule without force to make changes to serve those in charge?
The primary purpose of Jesus’ Kingdom is to bear witness to the truth for which He died, that God loves all who He has created, seeks their common good and desires to live with them forever.
For us, it should not be a question about a kingdom versus a republic or a democracy in regards to rule. Instead, we need to look within ourselves as to what each offers so we can understand the truth in which Jesus is asking us to trust. We need to know who Jesus is in our lives so we can make a decision to hand over our life to Him. Then, and only then, will “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
We do this by gaining knowledge through understanding in our prayers, scriptures, sacraments and being open to what God offers us not only in our earthly life, but beyond in our heavenly life which the earth does not provide. We need to participate by being present to those in need as was Jesus when He walked the earth and now through the Holy Spirit and us His disciples. We need to trust His truth because He has never rescinded on a promise He made as long as we stay faithful to love God and all He has created.
Let us take this next week and examine what may be causing us to hesitate about accepting, trusting and following Jesus. As Jesus said to Pontius Pilate, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” Let us also listen with our heart, mind, soul and strength to Jesus’ invitation for us to receive everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven. If we choose to do so, we with God can make our world one of truth, justice and love. Thy kingdom come will indeed be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Reading 1: Daniel 7: 13-14
Reading 2: Revelation 1: 5-8
Gospel: John 18: 33b-37
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