November 22, 2015

November 22, 2015 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe B Daniel 7: 13-14; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33-37 Where are my loyalties? Are they to my family, the Catholic Church, the United Sates? Yes, then I ask and reflect on, am I loyal to God? How come this question makes me stop and wonder and invites me to reflect on where I am weak, where I need to grow, and where I am satisfied? In 1925 Pope Pius XI instituted todays feast to celebrate the jubilee year and the sixteenth centenary of the Council of Nicaea. In every age of the Church theologians have addressed mysteries of faith. In the early Church the question was how can we solve the mystery of God? Specifically how are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit related to one another? Particularly the Son to the Father? One theologian, Arius said that the Son, despite his exalted status is a creature like us. The Council declared, ”We believe in one God the Father…and in one Lord Jesus Christ..the only begotten generated from the Father, that is, from the being of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God…” The Son, therefore is ‘begotten, not made…one in being’ or consubstantial. Pope Pius XI affirmed the primacy of Christ in the face of rising nationalism and fascism. The readings from last Sunday, the 33rd in Ordinary Time and next week, the First Sunday of Advent look at the second coming of Christ in glory. They complete the cycle of the mysteries of Jesus from birth to unending death. Christ our King… Christ my King…am I obedient to my King…do I follow my King…do I listen to my King? John today presents one of the most dramatic scenes in the Gospels: Jesus before Pilate. The question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “is the central question surrounding Jesus’ guilt or innocence, Pilate and the High Priests feel. The point is what is meant by the word KING? Pilate means it in a political way and Jesus answers theologically. Sunday Homily Helps gives a wonderful explanation of this trial, “Notice that Jesus never directly answers any of Pilate’s questions. Instead, He responds to Pilate with a question of His own. This reverses the roles of interrogator and responder. In effect, Jesus is interrogating Pilate, who has become the one actually on trial. Irony also plays an important role in this situation Pilate despises Jews and does not want to be identified with them in any way. He makes that clear by saying, ‘I am not a Jew, am I?’ But in a way he is. At least, he is one with the Jews in that both have rejected Jesus. Pilate’s rejection is based on politics. The Jews’ rejection is based on theology. Jesus kingship: Jesus makes it clear that He is not a contender for a secular throne. His kingship is not this world. He goes on to indicate that His power is to be used elsewhere; otherwise, He could easily have HIs supporters free Him on the spot. Again Pilate misunderstands what Jesus really said. Pilate takes Jesus’ response to mean that He is indeed a political king. At this point, Jesus allows the irony to take over. Jesus reaffirms that He is a king, but He describes His kingship in terms that make it clear He is not speaking politically. The truth is that Jesus’ kingship is not concerned with this world but with what is often referred to as the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is not a political reality. Pilate will never be able to understand what Jesus means. He will not even be aware that, in this trial, the theological king has surpassed the political king. The mission of Jesus, the King of the Jews , is to testify to the truth. Only those who are willing to listen to the truth will accept the kingship of Jesus. Jesus is a king who serves—not one who rules. That is what we celebrate today.” So the question comes again, ‘Am I willing to listen to Jesus or do I only listen to myself and those I want to listen to? Do I accept and live that Jesus is the Lord of my life? If I do this that means that Jesus’ rule over me takes precedence over any other allegiance that I have. This is an important reflection because so many other ‘allegiances’ creep in without me taking not of them. This means that I have to keep my focus on the Gospels and what the Church teaches and live accordingly. So I ask, do I use any other source for my ultimate guidance? Am I a servant? Do I realize that this ‘Kingdom of God’ is found inside my heart? It is embracing a vision of humankind that Jesus proclaimed. It is the vision that all are equal, all are special, all are created by God out of love. It is the vision of the world centered in the hope, compassion and the love that Jesus taught. Do I realize the this kingdom of God…this Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not found in selfishness and hurt but in every act of selfless kindness and generosity I can give? Jesus came to reveal to the world and me that His love is within me and each person at every moment of our lives. This love can transform the brokenness that I experience into the consuming love and respect that God has for each person with me as the witness and giver of this love. So I ask myself, am I embracing the values of the world or the values of God? Am I embracing the things that make my body feel better or am I embracing the things of God? The bottom line is do I embrace the lasting, eternal treasures of love, hope and mercy? Am I selfless in my giving? Do I lift up the hopes and dreams of others? Mercy and compassion are the foundation of God’s Kingdom with its foundation stone of love. So I ask: Am I a servant of God’s love? Can people see in me Jesus? Can they see that I believe and know what real life is all about and as Bishop Sheen used as his motto: ‘Life is Worth Living’ when I’m living it with God’s love. I read this bit of wisdom from Fr. WIlliam Bausch’s Once upon a Gospel that fits: “When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hanging my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking. I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked…and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.” Sacred Space 2015 concludes with a prayer: “Jesus, in the midst of all the noise and distractions of this world, we find it hard to hear Your voice. Open our ears, Lord, that we may hear and take account of Your Word.”