Fr. Paul D. Scalia: True Kingship

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Ecce Homo by Ignazio Jacometti, 1854. [Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), near the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome]

By Fr. Paul D. Scalia, The Catholic Thing, November 24, 2024

Fr. Paul Scalia is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, VA, where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of Saint James in Falls Church. He is the author of That Nothing May Be Lost: Reflections on Catholic Doctrine and Devotion and the editor of Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul

What does it mean to be a king? That’s at the heart of the conversation between Pontius Pilate and our Lord. (see John 18:33-37) Pilate stands there as a representative of the Roman Empire, possessing some kingly authority and wanting more, seeing kingship as simply having power. For him, a king rules by force. Jesus, on the other hand, stands as a prisoner: chained, beaten, ridiculed. He has no country, no army, no arms, no allies – no forces whatsoever. And yet He talks about His Kingdom.

Pilate, thinking one thing about kingship asks in disbelief, “Then you are a king?” Jesus, meaning another thing about kingship answers ambiguously: “You say I am a king. . .” As if to say, “You mean one thing by that title. . .and I mean something else.” Then He clarifies the something else: “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.” He rules as King not by force of arms, not by intimidation or threats, but by the truth. …

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