Reflections for Sunday, November 22, 2015
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
Mass Readings:
1st Reading Daniel 7:13-14
2nd Reading: Revelation 1:5-8
Responsorial: Psalm 93:1-2, 5
Gospel: John 18:33-37
Allowing Jesus Christ, Our King, To Feed Us with His Grace and Power
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. (Revelation 1:5)
What a beautiful picture John paints of Jesus, the King we celebrate today! He is the “firstborn,” “faithful,” “ruler” who has “made us into a kingdom” (Revelation 1:5, 6). Reading this passage, we might come away with the idea that as King, Jesus has everything sewn up. He is enthroned in glory, and we are enjoying our life in his kingdom.
But that’s not exactly how things are, is it? We know there is still suffering in the world. We know there is still sin in the world. We even know there is still sin and temptation in our own lives! It seems like a contradiction, doesn’t it?
Not really. While Jesus truly is the King of kings and Lord of lords, he has not yet come back to take full possession of his kingdom. And that means that his enemy, the devil, is still out there, engaging us in a battle with his lies and temptations. His main strategy is to conquer us through complacency. He knows that if he can fill our minds with doubt, worry, and self-centered thoughts, we’ll become indifferent to God. We’ll also become dull to the Holy Spirit’s presence and live only for ourselves.
This is why the Mass is so important. At Mass, we remember and celebrate the power of Jesus’ resurrection. But even more than that, we receive Jesus in the form of bread and wine. He comes to feed us with his grace and his power so that we can be strengthened for the battle. His word helps us stay clear-minded, and his Body and Blood give us divine grace and favor.
So when you come to Mass today, come with an open heart. Come before your King, and let him feed your heart and your mind. Come and confess that his grace is the only way you can possibly win the battle. Call on him, and he will come to your defense.
“All hail to you, King Jesus! You are my comfort in affliction and my strength in battle!”
(Many thanks to The Word Among Us (www.wau.org) for allowing us to use meditations from their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.)
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
- The great reality of Christianity is the Risen Christ reigning as King in all the glory of his victory over death. The first reading has a prophetic vision of Jesus’ kingship. “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14). He is king not only of “peoples, nations” but also families and our individual hearts and wills. However, how easy it is for us to go through a typical week with ourselves sitting on the throne of our hearts and wills, rather than Christ. What practical steps can you take to ensure that Christ has a more prominent place in your thoughts and actions?
- The Responsorial Psalm speaks of the splendor and strength of our king. It goes on to say that he is worthy of our trust. Are there any areas in your life where your trust in Christ is weaker than it should be? How can you increase your trust in Christ and open yourself more to Christ’s influence and power over these areas?
- In the second reading, St. John tells us that Jesus our king “is coming amid the clouds,” and that he “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” shed on the cross. What practical steps can you take to share this great love of Jesus with your family, and with others, especially during the grace-filled Advent season?
- In the Gospel, Pilate asks Jesus whether he is “King of the Jews” and Jesus responds by saying: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” He responds even further to Pilate continued questioning with these words: “You say I am a king. 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.” How would you describe this truth for which Jesus came to testify? How would you describe this truth to others?
- The meditation reminds us of the spiritual battle we are in every day with these words: “While Jesus truly is the King of kings and Lord of lords, he has not yet come back to take full possession of his kingdom. And that means that his enemy, the devil, is still out there, engaging us in a battle with his lies and temptations. His main strategy is to conquer us through complacency. He knows that if he can fill our minds with doubt, worry, and self-centered thoughts, we’ll become indifferent to God. We’ll also become dull to the Holy Spirit’s presence and live only for ourselves.” Why is it important to recognize that each of us is in a spiritual battle against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil? To win this battle, why is it also important to enthrone Jesus over our lives and make him truly the center of our lives?
- The meditation also goes on to stress the importance of Mass in winning this battle against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil: “At Mass, we remember and celebrate the power of Jesus’ resurrection. But even more than that, we receive Jesus in the form of bread and wine. He comes to feed us with his grace and his power so that we can be strengthened for the battle. His word helps us stay clear-minded, and his Body and Blood give us divine grace and favor. So when you come to Mass today, come with an open heart. Come before your King, and let him feed your heart and your mind. Come and confess that his grace is the only way you can possibly win the battle. Call on him, and he will come to your defense.” What are some steps you can take prior, during, and after Mass to open yourself more to Jesus so that “His word helps us stay clear-minded, and his Body and Blood give us divine grace and favor”?
- Take some time now to pray and thank the Lord for giving you all the grace and power you need to win the battle against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Also ask Him for the grace to give your life completely to Jesus as your Lord, Savior, and King. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
