22 Nov 09 Sunday, The Solemnity of Christ the King

Reading 1
Dn 7:13-14

As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Reading II
Rv 1:5-8

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.

"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."


Gospel
Jn 18:33b-37

Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
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."

Meditation: Revelation 1:5-8

Christ the King


I am the Alpha and the Omega. (Revelation 1:8)

Today begins the last week of the liturgical year. And what a difficult year it has been! Wars continue in the Middle East. There seems to be no end to abortion. Church attendance continues to decline, and the worldwide financial crisis has hurt millions of families.

Yet in the midst of these very real problems, God wants us to know that he is still the “Alpha and the Omega.” He hasn’t abandoned us. He knows what is going on in the world, and he is still with us to comfort us and guide us.

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, and the use of these names symbolizes our belief that God has always existed and that he will always exist. As the beginning and the end of all things, God will bring all things to a conclusion that is both just and merciful. He will resolve every conflict and heal every wound.

How will this happen? We really don’t know. But we do know that when the time is fulfilled, God the Father will send Jesus back to earth. He will come not as a little baby but as a powerful judge. He will overthrow every evil empire and establish his kingdom of peace and justice. Our faith in him will be vindicated. Sin will be no more. Jesus will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, and he will reign over us all.

As this year comes to a close and another one begins—another year that will have its own set of challenges—remember that you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Christ reigns in your life, and he is ready to pour his love on you all year long. Even in the midst of trials and disturbances, he will show you his love and his power. So rejoice in your King! He, the Alpha and the Omega, will always be close to you!

“Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! You are the beginning and end of my life—and all the world!”