Beloved in Christ,
God promises us the kingdom of truth. The universal kingship of Jesus is the reign of truth in this kingdom. The coming of Jesus, the incarnation of the divine word, is a testimony to the truth that God fulfills his promises. There are many instances in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament about the coming of an everlasting kingdom that will surpass and outlast that of David. God fulfills that promise in the dominion of Jesus Christ over all things. The kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of truth. Jesus came to testify to the truth of this kingdom. The Pilate interviews Jesus to examine his claim to kingship but finds out that the Kingdom of Jesus is not a temporary kingdom but a transcendent kingdom that entails the revelation of the mystery of God's reign over all things. There is truth. This truth contradicts what many in our world and time think about truth. We live in a time of relativism. Truth is often defined based on personal or subjective truth, that is, your perception and judgment. The truth here is relative. But Jesus, the king of the universe, is the truth in all its glory; he is "the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty" (Rev 1:8), the divine and supernatural being who has dominion over all things, thoughts, people and ages.
"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice"(Jn 18:37), Jesus declares. The kingdom of Christ comprises those who embrace and live by his truth. Jesus is the absolute truth, the fullness of divine revelation, the savior and redeemer of all the universe. Anyone who belongs to his reign must also be a witness to the truth. It is falsehood and pure hypocrisy to claim the lordship of Jesus and be a purveyor of lies. Truth is fundamental to the kingdom Jesus came to establish in the world through the Church. Those who belong to the Kingdom of the Father that Jesus will bring to its fullness at the end of time must constantly learn, love, and follow the truth.
The truth as we know it in the biblical sense is rooted in the body of Christ, the Church. Jesus must continue to reign in our world, our will, our thoughts, our minds, and our bodies through his voice, which speaks to us in our time through his Church. "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice," says Jesus. Where do we continue to hear the voice of Jesus today? In His body, the Church. We are His Church; Christ called us to witness his truth through our lives and examples. Jesus expects and demands that we witness the truth. We are his; we belong to his dominion. We must be people of his kingdom of truth. Our life must be a continuous witness to the truth about the everlasting kingdom and covenant built upon Christ, our King. Seek the truth, love the truth, speak the truth. In truth lies the coming of God's kingdom on earth. Say the Lord's prayer with meaning often: "Your kingdom come, you will be done on earth as in heaven" (Mt 6: 10).
Next Sunday is the first of the Advent season. Believe it or not, Advent is a significant liturgical season despite its shortness. So much happens in the brief season of Advent. Primarily, the Advent is about preparation. So often, we fail to give due attention to readiness for the celebration of the comings of Christ. We get trapped in the spirit of the secular world. The secular world has already begun the "celebration of Christmas" after All Hallows Eve (Halloween). But we are disciples of the truth, of Jesus. Let's display the signs and spirit of Advent in the Advent season. You can manifest it in your manners of living. We must not cave in easily. Let us put on the habit of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Let us live out the truth so that others may come to the knowledge of truth. We have many opportunities for spiritual growth and apt preparation during Advent. Please be sure to get familiar with all the spiritual and liturgical events offered in the parish by reading the bulletins and listening to announcements.
In Christ's Reign,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
God promises us the kingdom of truth. The universal kingship of Jesus is the reign of truth in this kingdom. The coming of Jesus, the incarnation of the divine word, is a testimony to the truth that God fulfills his promises. There are many instances in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament about the coming of an everlasting kingdom that will surpass and outlast that of David. God fulfills that promise in the dominion of Jesus Christ over all things. The kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of truth. Jesus came to testify to the truth of this kingdom. The Pilate interviews Jesus to examine his claim to kingship but finds out that the Kingdom of Jesus is not a temporary kingdom but a transcendent kingdom that entails the revelation of the mystery of God's reign over all things. There is truth. This truth contradicts what many in our world and time think about truth. We live in a time of relativism. Truth is often defined based on personal or subjective truth, that is, your perception and judgment. The truth here is relative. But Jesus, the king of the universe, is the truth in all its glory; he is "the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty" (Rev 1:8), the divine and supernatural being who has dominion over all things, thoughts, people and ages.
"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice"(Jn 18:37), Jesus declares. The kingdom of Christ comprises those who embrace and live by his truth. Jesus is the absolute truth, the fullness of divine revelation, the savior and redeemer of all the universe. Anyone who belongs to his reign must also be a witness to the truth. It is falsehood and pure hypocrisy to claim the lordship of Jesus and be a purveyor of lies. Truth is fundamental to the kingdom Jesus came to establish in the world through the Church. Those who belong to the Kingdom of the Father that Jesus will bring to its fullness at the end of time must constantly learn, love, and follow the truth.
The truth as we know it in the biblical sense is rooted in the body of Christ, the Church. Jesus must continue to reign in our world, our will, our thoughts, our minds, and our bodies through his voice, which speaks to us in our time through his Church. "Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice," says Jesus. Where do we continue to hear the voice of Jesus today? In His body, the Church. We are His Church; Christ called us to witness his truth through our lives and examples. Jesus expects and demands that we witness the truth. We are his; we belong to his dominion. We must be people of his kingdom of truth. Our life must be a continuous witness to the truth about the everlasting kingdom and covenant built upon Christ, our King. Seek the truth, love the truth, speak the truth. In truth lies the coming of God's kingdom on earth. Say the Lord's prayer with meaning often: "Your kingdom come, you will be done on earth as in heaven" (Mt 6: 10).
Next Sunday is the first of the Advent season. Believe it or not, Advent is a significant liturgical season despite its shortness. So much happens in the brief season of Advent. Primarily, the Advent is about preparation. So often, we fail to give due attention to readiness for the celebration of the comings of Christ. We get trapped in the spirit of the secular world. The secular world has already begun the "celebration of Christmas" after All Hallows Eve (Halloween). But we are disciples of the truth, of Jesus. Let's display the signs and spirit of Advent in the Advent season. You can manifest it in your manners of living. We must not cave in easily. Let us put on the habit of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Let us live out the truth so that others may come to the knowledge of truth. We have many opportunities for spiritual growth and apt preparation during Advent. Please be sure to get familiar with all the spiritual and liturgical events offered in the parish by reading the bulletins and listening to announcements.
In Christ's Reign,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
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