Jesus told Pilate: 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."
If you continue to the next verse in the Scriptures: “Pilate said to Jesus, "What is truth?" – Pilate’s question – was more of a mockery - because
Pilate has heard so many others claiming the truth.
The late Pope Benedict XVI used this story of Jesus before Pilate and their confrontation to express what is central or at the heart of the Church’s concern – which is - the relationship between Christian Religion and Modern Democracy.
In modern democracy – people – including leaders – think that any group or any religion who claim absolute truth is an enemy of freedom; that it is anti-democratic and therefore that group or that religion has to be eliminated or privatized.
We are experiencing that in our society which is more tolerant of non-Christian values while Christians – particularly Catholics – are always on constant attack.
To many, truth is relative. Truth is whatever people decide it is. And so we hear people say – “Keep your faith to yourself…Do not impose your morality or your visions on us.”
The late Pope Benedict XVI said: “Relativism is letting oneself be tossed and “swept along by every wind of teaching”. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.
However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. Jesus is the measure of true humanism. Being an “Adult” means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today’s fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature.
It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith – only faith – which creates unity and takes form in love.”
So - for us Christians - To stand for the truth of Christ is to be set apart from others. And that is what holiness is, to be set apart for God.
People say the Church needs to be in touch with the 21st century. But you see – being modern does not necessarily mean being on the side of truth.
Today’s Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that each of us was born for the same very reason Christ was born: to be faithful witnesses and to testify to the truth. So, the question is: Do our lives testify to the truth? - meaning – Do our words and actions lead others to the knowledge and deeper and greater love of Christ – who is the Truth.
But you see – you cannot give what you do not have. So, do you know Christ personally? … not just know about Christ. If you do not know Christ personally, how can you lead others to Christ?
Being Christians – we find ourselves standing before the Pilates of our time. Jesus said: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…You will have troubles - but, do not be afraid, I have overcome the world… “Do not be afraid to be a Christian…
We need to remember – as St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: “Jesus said: “I am the Truth” – and it is your duty and mine to speak the truth. Then it is up to the person who hears it whether to accept or reject it…. We are called not so much to be successful; but we are called to be faithful.”
Today we celebrate the end of the Liturgical year - just like calendar end of year – it is time for a special self examination – time for new year’s resolution – so to speak – more so regarding our spiritual life.
So - think about your life last year – around this time a year ago. Think about your life now. Compared to last year, some may have more; some may have less financial net worth. – less money but more debt. Maybe – you are not as healthy physically compared to a year ago… But how about spiritually?
Have you grown spiritually this past year? Can you say – you are a better person now? Better yet – Are you a better Christian or better follower of Christ now – in the true sense of the word? In what area of your spiritual life have you grown better? Or have you gotten any worse?
Or – Are you about the same - just the way you were last year… you have not grown at all. You know - part of life is to grow. When you stop growing – that means - you are dying.
Are you closer to Jesus now than you were last year? OR Do you still keep Jesus at a distance – so to speak - because you are afraid Jesus might upset your life and you are afraid Jesus might ask from you more than you are willing to give? If you are, then you are missing out on what life is truly all about.
So – Which kingdom do you really belong to? Is it in this world? Is it in making money? Is it in being healthy and have a long life, and taking care of your needs and your wants and your desires for worldly pleasures? Or is your kingdom in Jesus Christ – only wanting to do His will.
Is Christ really the king of your life? … of every aspect of your life? When you say: “Christ - the King” – Do you say that on your own or others told you … as Jesus asked Pilate? … or is “Christ the King” just another Sunday Church Feast Day for you … and you serve another king the rest of the year?
For us Christians – Jesus must be our everything – every day, every moment. Jesus is all that matters. Everything comes down to it – when you and I take our last breath here on earth – when our eyes close for the last time – Jesus is going to be the only One that truly matters – our relationship with Him - because Jesus is the key to eternal life… Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life…
Today’s Feast of Christ the King, we are called to re-dedicate ourselves, to
re-new our commitment to His Kingdom.
We are called to continue to be witnesses to the truth of God’s love, of the Good News in Christ Jesus… to be His living presence in the world by bringing God’s love, grace and mercy, His compassion to others. … that is why we pray… “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
We enter into the very busy holiday seasons – Thanksgiving Day this coming Thursday – giving thanks to God especially for giving us His Son Jesus, our Redeemer and acknowledging that everything is by the grace of God.
Advent season starts next Sunday. Like Lent - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are also important parts of Advent to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus into our lives… and then Christmas Season – celebrating God’s greatest gift of all – the gift of Himself in Christ Jesus and in turn we are called to give of ourselves in loving service of God and of others.
The challenge is for us is this – that we do not get so hanged up or just focused on shopping and parties – but that we continue to have Christ as the center of all our Holiday celebrations and activities, with His Spirit in us that inspires us to give alms to the poor for the love of God and that we keep Christ in Christmas – the true reason for the season …
…And that, by the grace of God, we face the New Year with Hope in Christ – the reason for our hope… because Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Amen.
God bless…
