The readings for Mass today begin so beautifully, they speak for themselves. The Entrance Antiphon proclaims:
“How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honor. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever.”
How can your soul not proclaim these words too, as you read them! These words are eternal, living words. They must surely be proclaimed in heaven too, when Jesus passes by its inhabitants. Can you imagine Jesus in all His splendor in heaven?
The first reading from the book of Daniel is a vision of Jesus, arriving in clouds before the throne of God. He was presented, and received dominion, glory and kingship over all people from every nation. Daniel testifies that Jesus’s kingship is eternal and will never be taken away from him, or destroyed. What an awe inspiring sight this must have been for Daniel!
Then we move on to the Responsorial Psalm, which is even more beautiful. Our heart felt response is:
“The Lord is King: He is robed in majesty!”
The Responsorial Psalm says that the Lord is robed in splendor and strength, his throne stands firm from old, and is an everlasting kingship. His decrees are worthy of trust.
Then, the last sentence of the second reading says:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”
The Alpha and Omega … the beginning and end of everything in existence. The scope of the readings today are vast, profound and awe inspiring. Images play out in our minds of the splendor of heaven, the vast peoples before Jesus and the glory, honor, praise (and love) that is so rightfully shown to our Lord Jesus Christ. King of our lives, King of the earth, of all of creation, and most of all, King of Heaven!
However, the gospel brings us quickly back down to earth and the reality of how Jesus became King of the universe. It wasn’t glamorous or exciting at all.
We remember the readings of Good Friday, when Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus went on to say that, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
“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.”
And you, dear readers, are listening to His voice at this very moment in time. You belong to Him. He loves you so much, that he died for you. He awaits you in heaven. Death is nothing to fear. Life without love is what we should fear.
Pure, perfect, unconditional, sacrificial love is what made Jesus Christ King of the universe. How does our love compare to His? Is there any resemblance? How are we living our life today? Do we live for love, to grow a little in love every day? Or for other things?
That might be a good thought for today. To examine our lives. Have we truly made Jesus Christ the King of our life? Do we trust his words?
We too, will have eternal life, if we make love the focus of our lives.
