The liturgical year ends with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In John's poignant trial scene of Pilate and Jesus (18:33-37), we see a great contrast between power and powerlessness.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
The Solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 25, 2012 (ChristKingB)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Is Superstition a Sin?
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Daniel 7:13-14
1.
Compare and contrast Jesus’ kingdom with countries that have powerful
political organizations. List objectives of each. How would they each
define “service,” “ransom,” and “bloodshed”?
2. What things hold power over you in your life? Are they good things or would you like to see them lose some of their hold?
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 93: 1, 1-2, 5
1. Our psalmist proclaims, "The Lord is king, robed with majesty,
girded with might." Yet our Lord Jesus did not seek a kingdom belonging
to
this world. Where do you find the kingdom of the Lord? How do you reach our mighty Lord?
2. The Psalm says that the Lord's throne stands firm and is everlasting. In what way do you gain strength from this verse?
Second Reading
Revelation 1:5-8
1.
Christ “has made us into a kingdom of priests for his God and Father.”
The Jerusalem Bible says that in union with Jesus, the messianic priest,
we will consecrate the universe to God as a sacrifice of praise. How
can you consecrate (make holy) the universe to God?
2. Does the
universe include areas of your life or world that previously you might
have considered outside the realm of the “holy”? Discuss.
Gospel
John 18:33b-37
1. What truth did Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reveal about
the Father’s love for the world? To whom was the message revealed? Why
was the “King of the Jews" written in the three world languages of that
time?
2. As king, what do you think Jesus’ demands are of the
people in his kingdom? What do you think he requires of you? What does
“to testify to the truth” mean? Could testifying to the truth have some
difficult consequences for you at times? Explain.
Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts online on the Sunday Readings. And please
do use these questions for your own Bible study sessions with family and
friends.
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The Psalm celebrates God’s Kingdom,
ReplyDeletein which the Lord reigns with majesty,
“girded with might.” God revealed His
kingship when he created the world.
But it is during the end times that the
kingdom of God will be displayed in
all its glory. This is in keeping with
our readings this week, in preparation
for our celebration of the Solemnity of
Christ the King this Sunday.
The prophet Daniel in our 1st reading
speaks of the coming of the Son of Man
during the end times. Our 2nd reading
from Revelation is more explicit and
brings us into the picture. Christ’s blood
frees us, and makes us into a kingdom,
where we become priests for God the Father.
The kingdom is to be ruled under the
Lord's decrees, which are firmly established,
as the Psalm reminds us. But as Jesus says
in the Gospel, His kingdom is not of this world.
His kingdom cannot be observed. But surely
it is among us, and most certainly, in our hearts.
Amen