FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD
Sunday, November 22, 2015
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING of the UNIVERSE
34th Week in Ordinary Time
From the Word of the Day
“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not
be destroyed.”
(Daniel: 7: 14)
How should we live this Word
Pope Francis spoke of power during the Church convention recently. When preoccupation with what we are
worth, what we can do to influence society, and how we are regarded by society become an obsession, then
power has gone to our head and has shown its perverse side. The problem tied to power is not only a
question of supremacy, of ruling over others, of affirming and vindicating an acquired right, but it also the
exaltation of how much we are appreciated and recognized by others for our uniqueness and value, which
distinguishes us and makes us important, even indispensable. These are macro and micro temptations of
power.
The power of Christ the King is designated by today’s Liturgy under the sign of humility, of selflessness, of
beatitude. The Lord, King of the universe, bends over humanity; places Himself at its feet, and serves the
needy and their desires. His power is service: intelligent, efficacious, indispensable, but always service.
In my pause for silent contemplation, I will take Jesus as my model in rendering loving service to my family,
my co-workers, my friends, and all those in need.
Lord, give Your Church, Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay persons the right interpretation of
the power of Christ the King. It is a power that overcomes the desire to have a return; that has the humility
to put its best competencies at the disposition of everyone; that has the Beatitude of the Gospel.
The Voice of Pope Francis at the Church Convention of Florence
We must not be obsessed with power even when power has the face of something useful and functional
for the social image of the Church.
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Comment by Sr. Silvia Biglietti, FMA
Blog: livingscripture.wordpress.com