1st Reading Daniel 7: 13-14
Psalm 93: 1ab. 1d-2. 5 (R. 1a)
R:// "The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed"
2nd Reading Revelation 1: 5-8
Gospel John 18: 33-37
ESTABLISHING THE REIGN OF TRUTH WITH CHRIST'S EVERLASTING KINGSHIP
Dear friends, we have finally arrived at the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). This is the Last Sunday of the liturgical year, and the 34th week closes the YEAR B. We shall be ushered into YEAR C the following Sunday. The 34th Sunday has an added speciality because it is the Solemnity of Christ King of the Universe. At the end of the liturgical year, Mother Church centralises the kingship of Christ over the year. Regardless of whatever happened throughout the liturgical year, it was Christ who won. Journeying through the liturgical year is an example of our earthly journey. At the end of life's journey, we meet Christ the King of the Universe, thus of all Creation. Let us also put Christ's kinship at the centre of our reflection on the liturgical readings today.
The first reading is from Daniel 7: 13-14. This book has a very high apocalyptic overtone. It tries to uncover what is hidden. At the time of suffering, the author of the book of Daniel seeks to encourage and comfort the readers to hope for a redeeming and everlasting rulership.
We need to understand that the first reading puts three main dimensions of the rulership of a certain personality before us. To understand this, we need to just consider the whole of Chapter 7. This chapter deals with "The Four Beasts and the Son of Man". It contrasts earthly power and divine power. The beasts represent earthly kingdoms or empires. Chapter 7 is Daniel's first vision. Also, Chapter 7 is generally agreed to have been written in Aramaic, very close to the Hebrew language.
The author tells us that Daniel saw in the "vision of the night". This expression referring to dreams becomes important because of the mention of "night". The one who experiences the dream is sleeping at night. The condition, I believe, speaks of the state in which the author writes. The Aramaic word used for the night is "leyleya'", and it relates to the Hebrew word layla, for the night. Remember that in Genesis 1, there was evening and there was morning, and a new day appeared. The night is a time of uncertainty and carries a sense of mystery with it. At the time Daniel receives the visions in his dreams, there would be feelings of uncertainty, doubt, and the unknown next event.
The first reading tells us that in that vision, Daniel saw "coming on the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man" (Dan. 7: 13). Remember that the four (4) beasts mentioned earlier in Daniel 7, came from the "great sea" (v. 2). Geographically, the land is below the sea, implying that the "great sea" is associated with the great abyss or deep. It is the home of evil monsters such as the multiheaded monster Leviathan (Ps. 74: 13-14). The one Daniel saw was coming from the clouds of Heaven. This is a clear contrast. Heaven (Aram: "Shamayin" relates to the Heb: "Shamayim", refers to the skies) is where divinity dwells. The land (Heb: 'erets) is for human beings. Below the earth (Heb: Sheol) which is the netherworld is for departed spirits and it is a place for lifelessness. The person coming from the clouds of Heaven should be a Divine being.
However, the person is called "Son of Man". That is the title Jesus calls himself. The word "Man" as rendered in the text in Daniel is 'ěnôsh. This is not any kind of man, but one who is weak and sick. The implication is that the divine being partook of the weakness and infirmities of the people. He knows what it means for the people to suffer. He goes out to redeem them. Right from here, we see the Messiah being referred to.
The second dimension of this person pertains to the source of his power. He goes to the ANCIENT OF DAYS. That ancient of Days is referred to as the MOST HIGH and he has Dominion (Dan. 4: 34). That Ancient of Days gave him Dominion, Glory, and Kingship. The Aramaic word for Dominion is "sholtan". That word relates to the English word "Sultan". A Sultan is a Prince or a Ruler. That person is given the power of governance from the Ancient of Days himself. His rulership and governance will never pass away. Here is another contrast. While earthy powers end with the death of the human king or transfer of power, this person, the Messiah, rules forever. The Four Beasts will pass away but the power of the "Son of Man" will be everlasting. The implication is sure in our day. Authority with a divine source has an everlasting dimension.
Finally, the third dimension is the nature and extent of the authority of the "Son of Man". "All people, nations and languages will serve him" (Dan. 7: 14). The authority of the Four Beasts is limited, but the authority and governance of the "Son of Man" is not only permanent, it is also universal. Universally, he will be "served" (Aram: "Pelach", which is the Word for Worship).
The Gospel passage from John 18: 33-37 is a discourse between Pilate and Jesus about kingship (or governance). This is last time we hear the word "truth" in the Gospel according to St. John. Jesus comes to testify to the truth (Jn. 5: 33). The Truth is Christ himself. He is the truth incarnate (Jn. 14:6). Jesus came into the world to manifest the Father who is the Truth. Christ is the Incarnation of that Truth. It makes it simple that wherever that Truth is established and accepted the governance of the Messiah is established. The Truth resides in the life and teachings of Christ. To securely aid to establish Christ's governance on earth is to recognize in his life and teachings the Truth that gives life.
Peace and Goodness
Comments
Post a Comment