“FIRST IMPRESSIONS” Christ the KING (B) November 24, 2024

Daniel 7: 13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1: 5-8; John 18: 33b-37

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

Today’s first reading, from Daniel, is from a section of visions in chapters 7-12. In ancient times, as well as our own, people in crisis need hope. Scriptural writers offered that hope in various forms and, as we noted last week, one form is apocalyptic writing. It is a form of literature that, in a large, flamboyant language of dreams, visions and symbols, communicates the hope that goodness will finally overcome evil and that the faithful, despite current struggles and persecutions, will be vindicated by God.

Daniel may be narrating a “vision,” but he is not merely sharing a dream he had the previous night with a friend over a cup of coffee. Instead, he is speaking words of hope to his contemporaries. He wrote almost two centuries before Christ to encourage his people not to give in to the Greek tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes IV, who was persecuting the Jews for their faith. Besides the torture and death threatened by Antiochus, there were Jews who were attracted by the allure of the pagan Greek world’s philosophy, culture and science. These Jews were not so much in danger of punishment for their faith, as they were in danger of losing their faith by adopting the ways and religions of the pagans.

The pagan world around them looked very attractive and so they were drawn to the gods who seemed to be the reason for the power, splendor and success of the dominant Greeks. Each age has its power and attractions to draw believers away from the faith – especially if the believers are among a vulnerable and defeated minority. Why not go over to the “other side,” join the winners and be successful? It makes sense, doesn’t it?

I saw my first Christmas display in a highway store about two months ago—it was early October! I was on my way to preach a parish retreat and had stopped for coffee. I stared at what was, the first wave of a soon-to-be tsunami of Christmas displays and advertisements. There will be no escape, I thought – stores, t.v., the malls, magazines, internet pop-ups, etc. We may not be under the thumb of the Greek tyrant Antiochus, but commercialism and the materialism it fosters, are oppressive nevertheless, especially for our susceptible youth. They will see and hear ads for the latest and expensive “got-to-haves.” Parents will feel the pressures to please their children and so lay out lots of money to satisfy them. But its not just the kids who will be tantalized by the allure. We adults will be too. And we will put ourselves into debt to worship this pagan deity of the season.

There are pagan gods all around us that promise us happiness and success – in one form or another. Daniel’s concern for his bewildered and suffering people applies to us as well. Who is going to win this struggle for the hearts and souls of people? Will evil, or the world’s more subtle seduction of our spirits, win out in the end? Daniel doesn’t think so, as he assures us today in his vision of “...one like the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” In the court of “the Ancient One” this Son of Man is given “dominion, glory and kingship” over the whole earth. The Son of Man figure will be more powerful than any and all evil earthly rulers. He comes from God’s courts and has God’s dominion and glory. This good rule will not pass the way earthly rule does, but will last forever. Imagine...goodness being universal and lasting forever! Daniel speaks to all who grow weary trying to resist the persistent worldly foes who are against who we are and what we believe.

The early church believed Jesus was this Son of Man. He called himself by that title and referred to his sufferings using that name for himself – “the Son of Man will suffer.” He is also the One who will return on the clouds from heaven. Those for whom Daniel wrote and the early Christians, suffered at the hands of the hostile world. But they were also attracted by its power and allure. It looked like Jesus wasn’t returning right away – if at all – so why not go over to the victorious side? It’s a question we modern believers must answer as well.

This is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next week, with Advent, a new year and a new cycle of readings begin. Today the readings have an integrity all their own; they are prepared for today. But, I think, today’s feast also starts us thinking about next week and the start of a new church year. As with the civic calendar, the old year is tucked away and we look forward to the one that is coming with hope and anticipation. Maybe I’ll grow spiritually this coming year. Maybe I’ll let go of some debilitating patterns in my life and experience more freedom. Maybe I’ll finally make some resolutions that I will keep! We make new year resolutions at the beginning of January. Perhaps we can make some resolutions for next week’s new liturgical year. We have a week to consider what they will be—something other than going on a diet, or getting more exercise! Save those for January 1st. Choose resolutions that will nourish our spirits, or change a detrimental habit. We’ll bring them here next week, for we know we don’t have to make any changes on our own. When we grow in Christ, we are assured we will have Christ to accompany and strengthen us.

Today’s feast helps our thinking about putting away the past and turning to new life. Today Christ issues again his invitation to us to “...belong to the truth.” He is suggesting to us at this time and place to choose him as the sovereign voice we listen to and that guides our path. Who has had dominion over us this past year? Whose voice or voices did we listen to and follow? Are we better off, more peaceful and reconciled with ourselves and others because we followed those other voices? Better we listen to Jesus today who says to Pilate and us, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision. He is the Son of Man [or, the Son of Humanity] who reveals God to us, speaks the truth about the world’s misguided values and choices. He does not choose the ways of the world – might, material goods and the flashing lights that attract us. Instead, he says, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Remember that John frequently uses “the world” to refer to those who reject God and who prefer darkness to light. This “world” does not give life, but death; does not choose the truth, but lies. Jesus rules because he speaks the truth and those who search for what is true and good will find and accept him. Jesus is standing before Pilate, but is very unlike him. He does not have an army to summon and fight for him. Instead, those of us who hear his voice and accept his truth belong to his kingdom—where God rules, not by might, but by love.

The liturgical year ends inviting us to once again choose and recommit ourselves to Jesus and his rule in our lives. He reminds us that his voice will lead us to truth and membership into a kingdom of life. The choice is ours—will we serve him, our king, or the world that lies and leads to death?

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm