1. Compare and contrast Jesus’ “kingdom” with countries that have powerful political organizations. Are the objectives somewhat different in God’s kingdom and, for instance, the USA?

2. What things hold power over you in your life? Are they good things or would you like to see them lose some of their hold?

Second Reading
Revelation 1:5-8

1. This reading holds that Christ “has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” The Jerusalem Bible says that in union with Jesus, the messianic priest, we will consecrate the universe to God in a sacrifice of praise. How can you cooperate in this consecration (“making holy”) of the universe to God? Is working on the care for creation a way of consecrating the universe?

2. Does the universe that you consecrate to God include areas of your life or the world that previously you might have considered outside the realm of “holy”? Discuss.

Gospel
John 18:33b-37

1. Can we understand truth differently at different times? Was there a time when we accepted slavery? Do we now question the death penalty? Should the Church mature in judgment as we grow in understanding of truth?
 
2. Jesus says, “everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” What does Pope Francis say it can look like when we awaken courage born of truth?

With the courage born of truth, he answered: “I am a king.” He took responsibility for his own life: “I have a mission and I will carry it to fulfilment in order to bear witness to my Father’s Kingdom. For this”, he says, “I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to thpe truth” (Jn 18:37). … Jesus’ freedom draws us in. … Let us allow it to resonate within us, to challenge us, to awaken in us the courage born of truth. … Be free and authentic, be the critical conscience of society. Don’t be afraid to criticize! We need your criticism. Many of you, for example, are critical of environmental pollution. We need this! Be free in criticism. Be passionate about truth, so that, with your dreams, you can say: “my life is not captive to the mindset of the world: I am free, because I reign with Jesus for justice, love and peace!”

Dear young people, it is my hope and prayer that each of you can joyfully say: “With Jesus, I too am a king.” I too reign: as a living sign of the love of God, of his compassion and his tenderness. … And whenever I fall, I discover anew in Jesus the courage to continue fighting and hoping, the courage to keep dreaming. At every stage in life.

Pope Francis
Homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
King of the Universe
Nov 21, 2021