Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37
"My kingdom does not belong to this world...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."
- John 18:36a,37
As Christians, we have been baptized into the kingdom of God, the Body of Christ. As members of the kingdom of God, we recognize Jesus, the Christ, as our King. This means that while we live in the world, we are first and foremost members of Jesus' kingdom, and as members of Jesus' kingdom, we should live according to the example of our king, Christ Jesus.
With this feast of Christ the King, we end the current Church Year. The end of the year is a good time for us to reflect on how we've lived our lives according to Jesus' example. How well have we spent time with God in prayer? How well have we given of ourselves to help meet the needs of others, to comfort the sorrowful, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked...? How loyal have we been to living as disciples, followers, of Jesus our King?
Faith Chat Question: The feast of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus Christ deserves our loyal devotion. How can you live as a loyal follower of Christ the King more fully each day?
Faith Response: Create a plain crown out of paper as a centerpiece for your kitchen or prayer table. Collect some beads and stickers. Throughout the week, have family members do good deeds and pay attention to where they see and experience God in their lives. At the end of each day, at dinner or bedtime, invite family members to share what good deeds they did or how the saw/experienced God in their lives. After sharing their good deed or God experience, have them put a sticker or glue a bead onto the crown. Have a family goal to have the crown fully decorated by the end of the week.
Prayer: Jesus Christ, our King, help us to live according to your ways every day of our lives. Amen.
