Pontius Pilate

Today the Gospel brings to us the conversation between Pilate and Jesus about his kingship. Pilate was the governor of Judaea for ten years, the time of Jesus’ passion and death. His name appears in the Creed to place Jesus in a particular time of history. Tradition says that he became a Christian and died a martyr. We don’t like kings in our present time. We either see them as oppressive or irrelevant. In our individualistic world, we are critical of authority. We don’t want to be told who we are, we prefer to choose who we want to be, and decide what is right and wrong for ourselves. We Christians belong to Jesus‘ kingdom because he wanted us to be baptised, but we need to choose him.

Jesus said to Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. What sort of kingdom are we talking about? The Preface for today’s Mass gives us some of its qualities: a kingdom of Truth and Life, a kingdom of Holiness and Grace, a kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace. He rules from the cross. He was crowned with thorns, dressed in a purple rag, and given a reed for a scepter. His throne is a piece of timber, his jewels are three nails, his chalice full of vinegar. His soldiers, the apostles, have deserted him, running away, leaving him alone. Normally kings send their armies to war to die for them; Jesus on the contrary, died for each one of us.

Because it is a kingdom not of this world, it will last for ever. All human kingdoms and empires, all cultures and nations, all big companies and corporations, have or will pass away. Jesus’ reign will reach eternity, his rule is everlasting. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, God from God, light from light, true God from true God. He is Lord of lords, King of kings, Emperor of emperors. His kingdom is supreme, over all peoples, universal, embracing everything, eternal, it will last for ever. It is spiritual, over angels and men. And Jesus is asking us if we want to be part of it.

There are only two kingdoms: either his kingdom or our kingdom. His kingdom frees us from the things that enslave us. Our kingdom is ruled by tyrants. It is the tyranny of fear, guilt, hurt, resentment, envy, shame and insecurity. Fear paralyses us. Guilt makes us walk backwards. Hurt and resentment lead us to avoid people. Envy produces sadness in front of the good of others. Shame pushes us to hide in the cave of our pride. Insecurity leads us to hate ourselves. What are the real tyrants that are ruling now our lives? What are our addictions? Jesus is the only one who can free us from these tyrannies, and gives us the freedom and the glory of the children of God.

In the Cathedral of Seville, there is a royal chapel where Saint Fernando is buried. An image of Our Lady presides over the chapel, sitting on her throne, with the child Jesus on her lap. Her title is Queen of Kings. On top of the image there is an inscription, engraved in silver that says: Per me reges regnant. Kings rule through me. She is the Queen Mother, Regina Pacis, Queen of Peace. We pray for peace in our country. We pray for peace in our hearts.

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