Daily Readings - Sun Nov 24 2024
Daniel
13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Revelation
5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
John
33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth 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.