Dn
7: 13-14
Rev
1: 5-8Jn 18: 33-37
A
most famous quote often used but nonetheless so truthful is a simple
observation about the effects of power. Lord Acton of England in the 19th century
wrote: "Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Unfortunately,
history has often shown this to be true. Think of the Roman Emperors, many of
whom thought of themselves as divine. The Adolf Hitler's and the Napoleon's who
seized power and wielded it through force and fear rather than through a
benefit for the common good. Nor can we hide the history of our own Papacy,
particularly those of the 1600’s, whose personal morality was anything but
stellar: Alexander VI and Leo X to name just two. Earthly power and prestige
can be used for good, surely, but when invested too heavily in one person, its
power to corrupt is almost inevitable.
Hitler
imagined that he would ultimately take over the world and the Third Reich would
rule for a thousand years with the power of the super-race. Well, he's gone and
we are still here. Long gone are also Roman Emperors who demanded the worship
of their citizens.
So,
this Sunday, the last week of our liturgical year, we hear of a potentially
corruptible title: Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. “King
of the Universe” is quite a claim! It is
a claim, however, that can only be made by God himself whose power is beyond
any earthly force. It is absolute power for which there is no equal. In the
Gospel (Jn 18: 33-37) for this Sunday we see a clash of powers between the weak
but cunning Pontius Pilate and the mighty Jesus who is far more than he appears
on the surface.
The
claim for Kingship is the center of the contrast between them. Pilate asks,
perhaps with some hesitation: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Such a
possibility would strike fear in the heart of Pilate. It would be a challenge
to his own efforts to keep the Pax Romana in this backwater location of the
Roman Empire.
Jesus’
response puzzles Pilate: “My kingdom does not belong to this world . . .”
Pilate cannot imagine another “kingdom” other than an earthly one so he seems
to assume that Jesus suffers from a sad case of delusional thinking. “Then, you
are a King?” Pilate states sarcastically.
The
context of the brief inquiry is telling as well. Here Jesus stands before the authority of
Rome. Arrested by the Chief Priests and soldiers about to be scourged and
condemned to death. Seemingly helpless
and pitiful he truly stands as the book of Revelation tells us in our second
reading as the: “. . . faithful witness . . . who loves us and has freed us
from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom . . .” Jesus’
kingdom is not one for subjects but for faithful disciples who are called by
the witness of their own lives to bear witness to a kingdom of “. . . truth and
life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace . .
.” (Preface for Christ the King). Jesus’ kingdom is beyond space and time and
unlike ancient Rome or any earthly power, his kingdom will never end and its
power has no limits. This power does not corrupt but rather brings one to
conversion of heart and life.
For
those of us who live in this amazing democracy, we shun any allusion to royalty
or slavish submission. We have a
President, not a King or Queen. We have a balance of power between three
branches of government. We have equal rights before law and a system, which at
its best, will permit a healthy freedom.
Yet, clearly our challenge is to incorporate the morality and values of
the spiritual and moral kingdom that Christ brings. Like his clash with Pilate, however, we well
know there might be a price to pay in our pursuit to be faithful to the truth
as Christ himself bore witness on our behalf.
What
“kingdom” is pulling you? What power is
ruling over your life? We live in two worlds in a sense – this life and our
hope for the next. Yet, if we truly
believe Christ is King of the Universe, then our Eucharistic celebrations become
a place to stand in adoration and gratitude that his kingdom will not pass
away.
Almighty, ever-living Godwhose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of the universe,
grant, we pray, that the whole creation,
set free from slavery,
may render your majesty service
and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.
(Collect
for Solemnity)
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