The readings this weekend, and for the past few weeks are about endings. But we know that every ending signals a new beginning. Every “good night” holds the promise of a “good morning!” The sunset kisses the earth good-bye for a brief moment in time and surprises us with its rising on what seems to be the other side of the earth. Every death is s hand-off to new life. St. Augustine echoes this concept when he calls to God: “O Beauty, so ancient, so new.” Every “good-bye” uncovers a “hello,” every ending a step to a new adventure. When does the “NEW” become “NOW”? When does “tomorrow” turn to “today”? And do we let go of yesterday? Where does it go? The character Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof sings about this phenomena, “Sunrise, sunset, Swiftly flow the days. Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze. Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years, one season following another.”
Have your experiences proven this concept to be true? When we watch the “news” do we know what is accurate reporting and what is fake news, or what some refer to as “an alternate truth”? In the gospel it is refreshing to hear Jesus testify to the truth. In the verbal exchange between Jesus and Pilate, Jesus reveals, “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.”
In John’s Gospel, Pilate asks – “What is truth?” Jesus answers – “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” A few evenings ago I was half-watching TV when out of my distraction I heard “So, what is truth?” I’d started this reflection earlier in the day so the question seemed like part of another reality. A World War II veteran was sharing that upon retirement from active service, he’s been “down in the dumps” experiencing a lack of appreciation for his years in service for our country in defense of freedom and truth. Then he’d recalled Jesus words, “The truth shall make you free.” He had turned his bitterness into working with youth when he came to the realization that “The truth that makes you free, is the truth that stirs you to action.”
Isn’t this exactly what Jesus’ life and teachings call us to? This weekend we observe the feast of Christ, the King. The feast was instituted in 1925 and was raised to a solemnity 2015. At that time Pope Francis added to the title of the day – “the living face of the Father’s mercy.” We are celebrating a ruler who, in mercy, was willing to die for us, for all humanity, to give us true freedom. Jesus radically redefined the concept of kingship in contrast to the oppression so prevalent in His day. He’d exchanged the trappings of a king for a place among the poorest of the poor. In place of a red carpet he’d had a rude stable floor strewn with hay. Later in his life, it was palm branches that lined the way beneath a donkey’s feet. His crown, not one of gems, but a crown of thorns. His mode of transportation usually on foot. Of his home, Jesus said “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
But why read a scene from the passion today? How does that help us understand what Jesus’ kingship means? We always feel some vagueness in calling Jesus “king” partly due to the changing attitudes toward kings throughout history. We ponder – how can He be, at the same time, both Suffering Servant and king? It’s a strange question that Jesus turns on Pilate. “Do you ask
this (are you a king) on your own or have others told you about me?” It pushes us to question ourselves – Is Jesus my King? Do I know Him on my own? Does it spring from my own experiences? Or is my relationship with Jesus based on borrowed thoughts from books I’ve read? The sermons I’ve heard? Do I sing with conviction the sentiments of the kingly hymns that spring to mind: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing; Rejoice, the Lord Is King, When Morning Gilds the Skies, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. Hail, Redeemer, King Divine, The King of Glory. At the Lord’s Feast we sing, praise to our victorious King.” And, we must not overlook the triumphant echoing of a favorite Christmas carol – “Joy to the World!”
On this last Sunday in the church year, we hear from the Book of Revelation (Sunday’s second reading) – “Behold, he is coming and everyone will see him; the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come.” By the end of this week we will be jump-started into the Season of Advent … another experience of an “ending” that is a “beginning” – a time of waiting for the One who will come.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
Have a good week and a splendid Thanksgiving
Stay safe – be healthy – know peace
