Religious Education Faith Reflection and RE News 

You say that I am a king.

John 18:33-37

In this week’s Gospel, we hear the account of the interaction between Pilate and Jesus. Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus replies, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.” The conversation continues with Pilate saying, “So you are a king then?” and Jesus replying, “It is you who say it... Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.”

It is difficult to know exactly what happened in this account, as neither Jesus nor Pilate ever recorded the encounter themselves, to our knowledge. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to discern what was going through Pilate’s mind. Did he see Jesus as a rebel? Or perhaps as a religious fanatic who had angered the wrong people? For Pilate, at the very least, Jesus was a figure causing tension with the Jewish authorities, who already had a strained relationship with the Roman government. The last thing Pilate needed was another problem on his already full plate. Later, biblical accounts describe Pilate trying to release Jesus, appealing to the crowd in an attempt to free him, but to no avail.

We may never truly know what happened that day—it seems to have been a chaotic event, with many perhaps not fully grasping its significance. This encounter underscores how unique Jesus’ mission was. Unlike anything that had come before, it offered no clear reference point. Jesus was not attempting to overthrow the Roman Empire or any earthly authority. Instead, he was spreading a radical message of love and kindness to all.

This passage is read this Sunday in celebration of the Feast of “Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” It marks the conclusion of the Church's liturgical calendar, with the following week ushering in Advent and the preparation for Christmas. After a year of varied readings, this moment delivers a simple yet profound truth: Jesus is God for all—Jews and non-Jews alike, male and female, people of all races and places. His kingdom encompasses both this world and the next.

This week, we are called to reflect on this meaning. Let us consider the miracles, both small and large, in the universe around us—from the tiniest atom to the vastest galaxy. May we be grateful for all God has given us. Happy Church New Year!

By Jonathan Rooney 

Religious Educaiton Leader