…when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. – John 12:32 All people belong to Jesus. Everyone. Not just Christians, all of mankind. He is King of the Universe, after all! In our Gospel passage for this Sunday (John 12:20-33), notice Jesus’s curious reaction after Andrew and Philip told Him that some Greeks wanted to speak with Him: “Jesus answered them: ‘The hour has come for the Son of…
“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40 Happy feast of Christ the King! This week, I want to walk you through some imaginative prayer with Sunday’s Gospel passage on the Great Judgement, Matthew 25:31-46. First, take some time to prayerfully read the passage, focusing your attention on Jesus’ words; try…
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”- Luke 23:42 For me, this Bible verse sums up what it means to be a disciple in the Kingdom of Christ: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). This reminds me that Jesus is the Lord of my heart; He reigns there as King. Our solemnity this Sunday is Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. If I want Jesus to be…
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. – John 18:37 Happy Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! Wow—what a title. Jesus, our brother who died for us, is the king of the entire universe. Jesus, who we receive in the Eucharist under humble appearances of bread and wine, has “dominion,…
“I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock…” -Ezekiel 34:11 This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. King of the Universe! This brings up images of the grandest splendor: fine garments, a glorious throne, a magnificent array of pomp and circumstance. But listen closely to the scripture readings for this feast today. They’re focused on Christ the Good Shepherd. Shepherds…
In today’s Gospel reading, Peter recognized and professed the truth of Christ’s identity: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). He proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of the living God, the Messiah, the King of heaven and earth. I can imagine Peter, who was sometimes impulsive, replying with fervor but without fully understanding the depth of his words. Jesus pointed out that Peter did not study to learn this.…
What is the Kingdom of God? It’s so immense and diverse that it’s difficult for our minds to understand it. Jesus used parables to help explain His Kingdom. The parables of the mustard seed, the yeast, the pearl of great price, the hidden treasure, and the weeds among the wheat, to name a few. Each explores a different aspect of God’s Kingdom in ways that we can begin to understand. The parable of the weeds…
Christ spent the forty days before His Ascension preparing the apostles for their mission by teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Their mission was the same as ours; we are to help establish and extend Christ’s Kingdom: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”…
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In a special way, we recognize our role as subjects who have the honor and privilege of helping to bring about the Kingdom of Christ here on earth. Jesus spoke of His Kingdom often. Sometimes He spoke of it directly: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).…
The days are getting shorter and darker each day now. But with the increasing darkness comes the promise of brighter days: “but for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays” (Mal 3:20). Sun of Justice is one of the names of Jesus. If your family does a Jesse Tree during Advent, you might remember this from the O Antiphons that are recited during Vespers in the…