Father Edward Hopkins, LC
John 18:33b-37
Pilate
said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the
Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered,
"I am not a Jew, am I? Your own
nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does
not belong to this world. If my kingdom did
belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to
keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. 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."
Introductory
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truth
itself; that you are the foundation of all moral judgments.
I trust that you really care for me and
give me the light to see the needs of others.
I love you, Lord, and show it now with
my desire to pray.
Petition: Make your truth my
life, Lord!
1. Asking My Own Questions: Every day we
form countless judgments. Often they seem based more on what
others have said, than on what we know. We
are often told what to think by the media, government
and even coworkers. Pilate was one of those whose
judgment was based on what others had said. His
question to Jesus was that of a functionary; not of
someone sincerely seeking the truth. Jesus sensed this weakness
and confronted him. Pilate’s excuse was that he was
not Jewish, so how could he hope to understand?
I will be judged one day on how I judged.
How fair, how sincere and really how interested am
I in others? Do I treat those in my life
as though I really cared?
2. Jesus Stands above This
World: Pilate’s verbalized thoughts and the accusations of the
Sanhedrin against Jesus come from this world. It is
a world where people, once accused, are already judged;
where most judgments remain hidden but still assassinate the person
through actions and omissions; where “what others think of
you” seems to matter most. Jesus does not belong
to the ways of human respect. Nor can human respect
even begin to judge him. He answers to God
alone, just as he lives only to please his
Father. Do I belong to this world? What kind of
grip does this world have on me? How do
its judgments affect my behavior?
3. Belonging to the Kingdom of
Truth: What is relative can never judge what is
absolute, just as changing seasons do not define human
nature. Only a judgment from what is absolute can determine
real values for all. Just before being elected Pope,
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger exposed the world’s imposition of subjective
personal values, calling it a “a dictatorship of relativism
that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose
ultimate goal consists solely of one´s own ego and desires”
(Homily, April 18, 2005). In the same homily he juxtaposed
this relativistic “truth” to friendship with Christ. Real friendship
with Christ is our single guiding light, and it
requires that we subject to him all other guides:
our ego, our own feelings and our selfish desires. His
ways, love and truth replace self-seeking. In which kingdom
do I live?
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you
are my king and your kingdom is truth. Form
my mind to know all things in relation to
you. Form my heart to judge all people in relation
to your love. Free me from the deceptions of
pride, human respect and self-love. May only your love
reign in my heart!
Resolution:This week I
will reject all internal judgments of others that are
based on hearsay. I will replace them with prayers
for those persons, giving them the benefit of the doubt
and entrusting them to the care of the King.
Spiritual Life
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