Sunday: The Solemnity of Christ the King, by Gayle Somers

By Gayle Somers, Catholic Exchange, November 22, 2024

Gayle Somers is a member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Phoenix and has been writing and leading parish Bible studies since 1996. …

Today, we celebrate the truth that, even now, Christ reigns as King over all the earth.  But what kind of kingdom is it?

Gospel (Read Jn 18:33b-37)

On this final Sunday of our liturgical year, the Church gives us St. John’s account of Jesus before Pilate to help us understand the kingdom He came to establish.  It’s a lesson we desperately need.  If we have a false notion of the reign of Christ as King of the universe, we can be subject to disillusionment and disappointment as we await its final manifestation at the Second Coming.

See that Pilate is very curious about Jesus and His kingdom: “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus wonders where he got this idea.  Had Pilate seen evidence that Jesus was traveling around Judea trying to set up a throne for Himself?  Or had someone else suggested to him that Jesus was a rival to Caesar?  Pilate answers right away: “Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me.  What have You done?”  Pilate is working entirely on the claims of the Jews.  None of his Roman military officers were suggesting anything like this. …

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