Daily Readings - Sun Nov 24 2024
Daniel
13I watched, therefore, in the vision of the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man arrived, and he approached all the way to the ancient of days, and they presented him before him14And he gave him power, and honor, and the kingdom, and all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve him. His power is an eternal power, which will not be taken away, and his kingdom, one which will not be corrupted
Revelation
5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the leader over the kings of the earth, who has loved us and has washed us from our sins with his blood6and who has made us into a kingdom and into priests for God and for his Father. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen7Behold, he arrives with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall lament for themselves over him. Even so. Amen8"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty
John
33Then Pilate entered the praetorium again, and he called Jesus and said to him, "You are the king of the Jews?34Jesus responded, "Are you saying this of yourself, or have others spoken to you about me?35Pilate responded: "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the high priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?36Jesus responded: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my ministers would certainly strive so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not now from here.37And so Pilate said to him, "You are a king, then?" Jesus answered, "You are saying that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: so that I may offer testimony to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of Christ’s kingship and its profound implications for our lives. In the first reading from Daniel, we encounter a vision of the “Son of Man” who comes on the clouds of heaven, receiving dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom. This vision points to the universal and eternal sovereignty of God, which transcends human empires and earthly powers. In Revelation, we hear of Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who has loved us, washed us from our sins, and made us a kingdom of priests. This passage underscores Christ’s role as both the faithful witness and the ruler of all creation. In the Gospel, Jesus stands before Pilate and clarifies the nature of His kingdom: it is not of this world, but it is a kingdom of truth. Jesus’ mission is to testify to this truth, and those who belong to the truth will hear His voice.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man prefigures Jesus’ revelation as the divine king in Revelation and His testimony before Pilate. Together, they emphasize that Christ’s kingdom is not bound by earthly limitations but is rooted in the eternal and universal truth of God. Jesus’ kingship is not about power or domination but about love, sacrifice, and the establishment of a kingdom of truth and holiness. His reign calls us to live as citizens of this heavenly kingdom, even as we navigate the challenges of the world.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to re-examine our priorities and allegiances. Are we living as subjects of Christ’s kingdom, prioritizing truth, love, and holiness? Do we recognize that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, and that our actions here should reflect the values of God’s kingdom? Let us ask ourselves: Do we hear and follow the voice of truth, or are we swayed by the fleeting powers of this world? As we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, may we renew our commitment to His kingdom, trusting in His eternal sovereignty and striving to live as faithful witnesses of His truth.