Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 21 November 2027

13 I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him.

14 And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

R. (1a) The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

1abc The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.

R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

1d For he hath established the world which shall not be moved.

2 Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.

R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

5 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.

R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father, to him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

9, 10 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

33 Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?

35 Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee up to me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.

The Scriptures place before us a King whose authority is everlasting, yet whose throne is revealed in the presence of Pilate as he stands without worldly force or armed servants. Jesus does not deny that he is a king; he explains the nature of his reign. He came into the world to give testimony to the truth, and those who belong to the truth recognize his voice.

This King conquers through faithful witness and sacrificial love. He has loved us and washed us from our sins with his blood, then made us a kingdom and priests for God. His kingdom reaches every people and cannot be destroyed, even though the world may reject or pierce its King. To follow Christ, then, is to let his truth govern our words, choices, and relationships rather than allowing fear, pressure, or the desire for control to rule us. His reign begins wherever his voice is heard and obeyed. In every honest act, every refusal to answer hatred with hatred, and every return to his mercy, we give the eternal King room to reign.

Jesus, faithful Witness and eternal King, reign in my heart. Wash away my sins and free me from whatever keeps me from hearing your voice clearly. Give me courage to stand with your truth when it is difficult, and humility to serve rather than seek power over others. Make my life an offering of praise to the Father, so that your kingdom may be seen in the way I speak, choose, forgive, and love. Keep my hope fixed on your everlasting reign, and teach me to welcome your authority with a willing heart. Amen.