Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
As I reflected on this weekend’s Scripture ensemble, I suddenly went back to my teaching days, when an assignment would be handed to my students to “Compare and Contrast” two given items. We can do that easily enough with a perceptive look at the three Readings. The first two are replete with grand promises and great glory to be given rightfully to Christ, compared with the Gospel, which comes crashing down to earth, so to speak, with a jolt.
I’d like to consider mainly the gospel. Note within it the appeal of high drama plus the comfort of knowing our faith is well-founded. First, the drama. Here we return briefly to Good Friday, where we get to compare and contrast Pilate and Jesus.
The procurator is in a kind of pressure cooker. Here he stands well within the “comfort zone” of his headquarters, surrounded by protective guards, ready to punish severely anyone who would challenge his leadership. Recall that his wife has urged him several times to steer clear of any involvement with the man from Nazareth. Now that very man is standing in front him. Behind him,
Pilate can hear the roar of the crowd outside, drummed up by the enemies of this prisoner. What should he do? The Jewish priests despise the man. They control the mob. In Pilate’s mind, he knows Caesar is watching the whole episode.
So, Pilate decides to ask Jesus the key question of his petty concern: “Are you a king?” The whole idea seems ludicrous, considering the beaten condition of the man Jesus before him, His head bleeding from a thorn helmet the brutal Roman soldiers had made to be a crown. He’s obviously feeling weary from a long night of mistreatment by His captors. Yet somehow, He exudes royalty. Compared with this stern Roman standing there in a finely woven toga, a signet ring on his finger, fresh from a good breakfast and surrounded by rough and ready protection.
“You say I am a king,” answers Jesus, “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.” How I wish we could all hear the tone of that Voice! We could then easily compare and contrast His power with Pilate’s pettiness. But more importantly, we could hear the strength and conviction in Christ’s voice. We would certainly be encouraged.
Why the need for courage? Because there is another crowd just outside the Catholic Church this very day full of hate for God, and anger at us for believing in Him. Anger at us because we are a blockage to spreading their lies about nearly everything. It’s a veritable “catalog of confusion” they offer with a topsy-turvy value system bound to fail.
We derive our confidence from the Good News of the Gospel, that’s why, when we compare and contrast the two viewpoints, we must be so grateful for the leadership and love of our true King, Jesus Christ. He is at the top of our Thanksgiving Day list of blessings. “To Him be glory and power forever!”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Daniel 7: 13-14
The son of Man will rule over a kingdom that will never end. The prophecy is fulfilled in Christ.
Reading II: Revelations 1: 5-8
Jesus’ work enables us to be under God’s rule rather than that of the devil. To Jesus Christ be glory and power forever.
The Gospel: John 18: 33b-37
Our thoughts return suddenly to the high drama of Good Friday, and Pilate’s questioning of Our Lord Jesus. Of course, the nervous procurator gets the correct but mysterious answer to his question about kingship.