My Kingdom
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 18: 33-37 – Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" 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."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
"My kingdom does not belong to this world…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It might be hard for us today to understand just how important someone’s kingdom was in the ancient world, since most current governments are not kingdoms. But someone’s kingdom determined much of how they lived their life. It was vastly important. But before the time of Jesus, there was one particularly special kingdom that wasn’t simply ruled by men with power, like every other kingdom. The kingdom of Israel was understood by the Jews as God’s own kingdom lived out on earth. So it was a huge deal. But that kingdom had been lost. So when many Jews began to think that Jesus might be the Messiah, the new king, they were filled with hope that God would reestablish His kingdom on earth. This is as big as their minds were thinking… but, ultimately, it was way too small.
Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” He says, “You say I am a king…,” but He emphasizes that His main purpose is beyond that. Jesus is the King of the earth, and that matters greatly for how we should live our lives and run our societies on the earth, but His Kingship on earth is only one little part of His whole infinitude. He’s the King because He’s God... but because He’s God He’s also: Lover, Brother, Friend, Helper, Healer, Judge, Provider, Protector, Guide… Everything! He’s the fullness of every good! The restoration of the kingdom was, for many Jews, their biggest longing. But Jesus fulfills every human longing… and not just on earth, but forever, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Having a good kingdom on earth is a good thing, but having an infinite King in heaven goes far beyond it. As we focus at the end of the liturgical year, with seriousness about the trials of earth we must meet before encountering the King, let us put all our trials in the context of hope in what is to come. “My kingdom does not belong to this world…”
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture above. (Optional – allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer)
