Jesus, our leader and savior
november 24, 2024 | christ the king sunday, Year B
Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33B-37
Today, Mother Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King, which reminds us of the kingship of Jesus and His authority over all. The church invites us today to reflect on Jesus’ role as our leader and savior.
In order to celebrate the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea, Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King in 1925. On this occasion, the Pope proclaimed “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (“The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ”), in order to reassert the sovereignty of Christ over all forms of governments and the importance of peace for the entire universe. Christians of the whole world should give their loyalty and fidelity to Christ and his Church. They are invited to be builders and peacemakers.
Christ the King was also a serious challenge against the totalitarian governments of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin all formed dictatorship and exploitation by the leadership in the world. Christ is our spiritual King and Ruler who died on the cross and who rules by humility, service, sacrifice, truth and love. After Christ's example, leadership is about service, sacrifice and solidarity with the poor. From today’s readings we have lessons to learn for our daily Christian living.
Corporate lessons from Christ as our King
1). The first reading from Daniel 7: 13-14 highlights that Jesus received eternal power, authority and dominions over all people, languages and nations. This means that Jesus is the Universal King who reigns for everyone. He is “the king of kings and the Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15; Psalm 72:11-20). We must all bow and pay total allegiance to Christ as our King, not someone else. ““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”
2) Today’s book of Revelation as well as the book of Daniel reminds us that unlike worldly kingdoms is Eternal. His rule never ends. “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away his kingship shall not be destroyed.”
3) In today’s Gospel, Jesus defines himself not only as The King but also as the one who came to bear witness to the truth. (John 18:37) Jesus gives us guidance and sets us free. (John 18:33B-37). As a witness, Christ invites us to be witnesses of the Truth in our society.
4) As King, Jesus did not spare his own life; he shed his life and his blood as Sacrifice. (Revelation 1:5) We can only show true love by sacrifice and service for others.
5) Finally, celebrating Christ the King of the Universe is celebrating our Hope in Christ. Christ is our ultimate victory and his kingdom brings peace and justice. It is an eternal kingdom.
Prayer: Christ our Savior and our King renew in me allegiance to your kingship. I pray for the grace to place you above the powers of this world in all things
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Living the Gospel this week. How to go to heaven?
In John 3:16, we read: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, and the normative way we receive that gift is through the seven sacraments, beginning with baptism (Catechism 1113ff.)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church understands the sacraments as sensible signs that Jesus Christ instituted to confer grace, i.e., divine life (CCC 1131; 1114-16).
Christ himself, the God’s man, his paschal sacrifice, his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension (CCC 613, 1085) is the foundation and the effectiveness of the sacraments.
1) Let’s work out everyday our relationship with Christ by partaking in the holy hour (will explain this next time), or Bible study, a life of faith and obedience to God’s commandment, daily desire of repentance.
2) Prepare your heart to receive Jesus in the sacraments, especially in the eucharist (confessions, coming to mass early, disposing your heart to be loved by Christ…). By doing this, we express our faith for St. John Chrysostom (349-407) pointed out that, “He that believes in the Son has everlasting life.”
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac