Master·evangeli.net
Today's Gospel + short theological explanation
Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, (...) "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "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."
Christ the King
EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)Today's Gospel proposes to us anew part of the dramatic questioning to which Pontius Pilate subjected Jesus when he was handed over to him, accused of usurping the title, "King of the Jews". Jesus answered the Roman governor's questions by declaring that he was a king, but not of this world. He did not come to rule over peoples and territories but to set people free from the slavery of sin and to reconcile them with God.
It is not the power of the kings of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness. This Kingdom of Grace is never imposed and always respects our freedom.
—Let us ask Mary to help us too to follow Jesus, our King, as she did, and to bear witness to him with our entire existence.
