Daniel 7.13-14 / Psalm 93.1+2, 3+4, 5 / Revelation 1.5-8 /John 18:33-37
In today`s Solemnity of Christ, our King, we have at least two major points for reflection. First, we reflect on our understanding and acknowledgment of Jesus` authority over all. This authority then invites us to understand Jesus` role as the greatest leader of all. Secondly, we also reflect on our understanding that the ultimate sacrifice made/offered by Jesus for our salvation shows His Kingship, in which (His Kingship), we aim to understand as Servanthood. The Solemnity of Christ the King therefore invites us to solemnly celebrate His Kingship in the lives of all, and to continue to reflect on the role of Jesus as our Servant Leader and Savior.
As a Servant Leader and Savior for all, His Kingship and His Kingdom further indicates inclusion of all people, nations and languages. We therefore celebrate His Kingship for all people everywhere, Christians and non-Christians.
It is also timely to include in our reflection that the Kingship of Jesus to all people everywhere brings peace, freedom to all, and life. In here we also understand that Christianity is a religion of liberation rather than of slavery or bondage. It means that no one is (can be) more free than seeing the Truth and Reality in Jesus. This is not far from understanding that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus, using a figure of speech, reminded the Pharisees that He came so that the sheep may have life and have it abundantly (confer John 10.7-10). We are further invited to embrace a new outlook in life through the Kingship of Jesus in our daily life.
We may had plenty of chances and capacity to lead others in/to prayer but we preferred to disregard them. We may all had the chances to be better brothers and sisters for each other but because of our individual personal and selfish motives with selfishly protected image & fear of losing `face` among groups of people in the worldly affairs, we failed to become instruments of bringing Christ`s peace and tranquility, forgiveness and mercy. We may have shared leadership in the Church but how many times we have failed to become a true servant leader.
Let us beautifully sum-up our reflections of the Word of God, of this cycle of all readings at mass of this ending church calendar year. We have come to Sunday Mass to be fully guided and be inspired by Gospel proclamation. We have come to end a year-long reflection of the life of Jesus, and of His sacrifices for us. We have the greatest hope that we have reflected so abundantly, becoming worthy and blessed in one way or the other to start a new year for our church` and faith`s life.