The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamligio Clá Dias, EP
See also: The Regal Grandeur of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Featured Saints
St. Gelasius I, Pope (†496). To avoid the imperial authority from harming the unity of the Church, he clearly explained the competencies of the two powers and their mutual independence.
St. Agapius of Caesarea, martyr (†306). After suffering torture and imprisonment for two years in Caesarea Maritima, he was drowned by being thrown into the Mediterranean with stones bound to his feet.
St. Rufus, of whom St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, calls “elect in the Lord”.
Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, virgin (†1902). Founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Rome, to help immigrants from her homeland, Poland.
The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, normally celebrated on November 21, is omitted this year, due to the concurrence of dates.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Dn 7:13-14
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 (R. 1a)
R. The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD. R.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days. R.
Second Reading – Rv 1:5-8
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.
Gospel – Jn 18:33b-37
Pilate said to Jesus,
“Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?”
Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “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.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”
So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?”
Jesus answered, “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.”
