Readings: Dan 7:13-14; Rev. 1:5-8; Jn. 18:33-37
Testifying To the Truth – For what Do You Live? For What Will You Die?
1. The opening prayer in today’s Mass sets the tone for our liturgy on this solemnity of Christ the King. The Church reminds us that it is the will of God to restore all things in Christ, His beloved Son, the King of the universe. For God intends for all to have a share in his kingdom. God wants the whole creation to be set free from slavery and render Him service and ceaselessly proclaim His praise. In the Preface, we pray, “For you anointed your Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the oil of gladness as eternal Priest and King of all creation, so that, by offering Himself on the altar of the Cross as a spotless sacrifice to bring us peace, he might accomplish the mysteries of human redemption and, making all created things subject to his rule, he might present to the immensity of your majesty an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.” Jesus Christ was born for this purpose, to establish the kingdom of God on earth and bring all people, regardless of tribe, race, creed, color, or nationality, to God. His kingdom is for everyone. He was born for this; he testifies to it, lived for it, and was prepared to die for it. Those who listened to him and obeyed his teaching are members of his kingdom, but those who do not will be left out.
2. This was the answer that Christ gave to Pilate in today’s gospel: “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.” Christ was put to death because of the truth about his mission, just like John the Baptist was put to death for defending the truth. For John had told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mk.6:18). Herodias harbored a grudge against him, and not long afterward, Herod beheaded John. John died in defense of the truth. Jesus was always on the side of truth. He cured the sick on the Sabbath; he saved the life of a woman caught in the act of committing adultery by indirectly accusing her accusers, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Jn. 8:7). He drove away those who were selling and changing money in the temple and said to them, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” (Jn. 2:16). Christ knew that these actions would bring him face to face with the powers that be. But he stood by his actions and was undaunted in the face of death. He was born for this, to bear witness to the truth.
3. As we celebrate the universal kingship of Jesus today, we call to mind Christ’s sermon on the mount. The Beatitudes describe the quality of sons and daughters of the new kingdom. They are peacemakers, the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They must love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. They must bear no grudge and seek no revenge. They must share what they have with others and give a helping hand to those in need. (cf. Mt. 5, 6, 7, 18, 25). These men and women are on the side of the truth. They understand Christ when he said, “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.” It was not surprising why Pilate asked Christ in verse 38, “What is truth?”
4. In our world today, it is not easy to know whether there is objective or absolute truth or subjective truth. Do we have alternate truth or personal truth? Lies and corruption are common in high places and at times, we are confused about the fact. For what are we living? For what are we prepared to die? Is it worth living a life of honesty and integrity anymore? Can we give our word and keep it? What is the role of a Christian, the follower of Christ, in a confusing world as ours? Vima Dasan, SJ in ‘His Word Lives’ States, “Sharing in the kingship of Christ is glorious but precarious, for it is demanding. As Christ bore witness to the truth, lived by it, and died for it, we too, by virtue of the gift of truth received in our hearts at baptism, are called to speak only the truth unattended by a bodyguard of lies and of course to spread the truth from pole to pole. Since the truth we have received is not just in our minds but in our hearts, we have not only to speak it but to do it, in justice and love.” Are we prepared to face the consequence of living the truth? It will isolate us and make us stand alone as Christ stood alone before Pilate. It will take away our friends and give us names. Christ warned us, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (Lk. 12:51). Our identification with Christ and standing for the kingdom principles will cause division in our lives and in our families.
5. Let us be men and women who, like Christ, live by the truth and are prepared to die for the truth. Let us be men and women of honesty and integrity and pray that we may stand by the kingdom principles. May Christ the universal King welcome us into his kingdom when our pilgrim life on earth comes to an end. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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