Originally published at National Catholic Register
User’s Guide to the Solemnity of Christ the King
Sunday, Nov. 24, is the Solemnity of Christ the King. Mass readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37.
We are called to acknowledge that Jesus is in fact our King. There comes a time when we must personally affirm what the Church has always announced: “Jesus is Lord, and he is King. He is my King. He has authority in my life.” This must become a daily, increasing reality in our life. Do we allow Christ to command us?
That brings us to the solemnity’s Gospel. In a remarkable display of literary artistry, John and the Holy Spirit vividly depict the vacillation of Pontius Pilate. In this Gospel passage of the trial of Jesus, Pilate goes in and out of the governor’s house seven times.
He’s trying to please the crowds. He’s trying to please his wife (who had warned him to “have nothing to do with that innocent man” (Matthew 27:19). He’s trying to help Jesus. He can’t decide, so in and out he goes! Pilate is just like us. Oftentimes, we say that we love God, but we also love the world. We want
