Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
“I didn’t come this far to only come this far.” — Anonymous.
Every year on this feast, with Daniel, we “see the vision” of the Son of Man who will come and who has “received dominion, glory, and kingship.”
We are also routinely told: “All peoples, nations, and languages serve him” and “His dominion is an everlasting dominion.”
The evangelist John reflects as Jesus stands before Pilate who questions him: “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus never answers the question. Rather, Jesus’ questions make Pilate declare it: “Then you are a king.”
But perhaps the most provocative thing Jesus says in this conversation is: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”
People of this place called earth love to ponder on “outer space” — “what’s OUT there?”
But Jesus invites us to ponder on “inner space” — “what’s IN here?”
This kingdom of God is deep within us. It truly does not belong to this world, because this world has such a hard time recognizing it and staying in touch with it.
This “inner” kingdom is to be found at the deepest point within our souls where God dwells for all. Here, in this innermost place within us, we find the truest answers to life and our real meaning.
Jesus tells us about this kingdom then declares: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
How true that is. Whether Catholic, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu — it doesn’t matter. All hear the voice of Jesus, because his voice is universal. It doesn’t even have to be acknowledged as “his” voice. It is simply the truth.
And the truth that all religions speak is about this kingdom within that “knows” the good and the true nature of all things as given to us by God. In this kingdom, people know peace, love, goodness, caring, forgiveness, healing, hope, kindness, and joy.
In this kingdom, “all peoples, nations, and languages serve him” and “his dominion is an everlasting dominion.”
Rejoice in this Feast of Christ, Our King!
Father Perry Leiker, pastor
Father Perry D. Leiker is pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142, email perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter @MrDeano76.
