This Sunday is dedicated to “Christ the King.” In Church life, this is the “end” of the year. In the words of St. Benedict, “Always we begin again.” And every year we do so. In Church life, next Sunday, December 2, we begin again with Advent. The Latin word “advent” is means coming or arrival … it can mean beginnings!
Throughout his ministry, from the first moment he spoke the words, “come and see” to the disciples and to us, Jesus has talked about the kingdom of God (or heaven) in different ways. Perhaps one of those ways has spoken to your soul more than others. I love to hear … “the kingdom of God is within you” which may be more accurately be translated “among you.” The word kingdom is translated from the Greek word basileia {bas-il-i'-ah} as the “Kingdom” many times. With this being the case, it may seem strange that Jesus never referred to himself as a King in so many words.
Throughout his ministry, from the first moment he spoke the words, “come and see” to the disciples and to us, Jesus has talked about the kingdom of God (or heaven) in different ways. Perhaps one of those ways has spoken to your soul more than others. I love to hear … “the kingdom of God is within you” which may be more accurately be translated “among you.” The word kingdom is translated from the Greek word basileia {bas-il-i'-ah} as the “Kingdom” many times. With this being the case, it may seem strange that Jesus never referred to himself as a King in so many words.
The word “reign” captures what I believe is inherent in what Jesus talks about when he talks about the kingdom. The Reign of God is the dynamic rule of God’s saving or healing love, that which makes us whole and all that we were created to be and can truly be. Basileia is not a place but a way of being. It is a way of say, “hmmm, perhaps God is God, and I am not!”
History tells us that Pilate was a brutal man of his time, one we still read about today who has the honor of asking Jesus the question of the week … “Are you the king of the Jews?”
I invite you to breathe deeply and allow the Spirit of God to fill you as you invite silence to accompany you on the journey of praying the Scripture through Lectio Divina this week.
Breathe deeply and let the silence wash over you in gentle waves. If your mind refuses to stop, simply ask yourself if you might only pause for just a moment to immerse yourself in this famous exchange between powerful men … one of them a man of the State (Roman) and one of them a man of God, truly a man who is God, fully human and fully divine … and that is simply a mystery!
Breathe, breathe, breathe ... slowly, deeply, all the way to your toes …
Read the Word ... slowly, savoring the words and their impact on your life.
John 18:33-38 Common English Bible (CEB)
Pilate went back into the palace. He summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others spoken to you about me?”
Pilate responded, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your nation and its chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.”
“So you are a king?” Pilate said.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.
Was there a word or a phrase that caught your attention as you read? Take that word or phrase and turn it over in your mind ... listen to the word(s) and let it (them) fill you with wonder and delight.
Perhaps you might read this encounter again and allow God to touch you through it.
Perhaps you might read this encounter again and allow God to touch you through it.
Breathe, breathe, breathe ...
Receive the Word ... What do you hear from the Lord your God as you word or phrase illuminates your world right now? Has your word or phrase drawn attention to something in your life you need to attend to? What might God be saying to you through this word that you have received?
Perhaps at this point, you might read this encounter and consider how you might respond to God’s touch.
Breathe, breathe, breathe ...
Respond to the Word ... Are there words welling up within you that you need to speak to yourself? Are there words that are emerging that you want to speak to God? Allow the words to flow from within you as you pray with all of your self ... your mind, your body, your senses, your emotions ... are there expressions of prayer and worship that you would give as an offering to God?
Breathe, breathe, breathe ...
Rest in the Word ... Simply allow the Silence to fall upon you, to emerge from within you, and to bloom in Love for yourself, for others, for God and for the World.
 |
| Byzantine dome mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Public domain. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/daphni-monastery |
May you be blessed by our God as Christ comes to reign in your heart and over your life!
As an Amen, which means "so be it," listen to the beautiful Hymn of Promise sung by Debra Nesgoda. Close your eyes and let the words and music wash over you in gentle waves or watch the majestic nature photos scroll, whichever you find most restful.
Although many persons consider this a funeral song, I find there to be enough simplicity and grace woven throughout the song for us all … What is truth? Because Christ reigns … “In our end is our beginning!” Let us rest in this truth!
Deep Peace upon your Prayers, Cindy
No comments:
Post a Comment