SUNDAY SERVICE

Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year.  Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.  Christmas is near.
This day is always set aside to honor Christ as King.

In the Gospel today, we have the story of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate not long before the crucifixion.  Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of the province of Judea, was not a Jew.  He thought it strange that the Jews handed a man over to him to be punished who many revered as a king.  He asked Jesus if he actually claimed to be the king of the Jews.  Jesus answered that his kingdom was not of this world - that he came to testify to the truth - that everyone who belongs to the truth, listens to him.

When Pilate finally had Jesus crucified, a banner was placed at the top of his cross that we abbreviate INRI. That inscription stands for the Latin phrase:  Iesus Nazerenus, Rex Iudeaorum  meaning:   Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the people of Judea (the Jews).  It both mocked him and his claim and was a charge for his offense-the reason he was murdered.

Do you belong to the 'truth'?
*O*