Family Bible Study - Christ the King

Gospel Passage
Luke 23:35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at
him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of
God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and
offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save
yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of
the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding
him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But
the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under
the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been
condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this
man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when
you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you
will be with me in Paradise.”

Questions for discussion:
1. Christ is our King, which means He must reign in every part of our lives. Do you treat Jesus like a King? Do you give up some of your time for Him? Do you use your
talents to help others for Him?

2. Christ did have the power, as King and Lord of the Universe, to come
down from the Cross and save himself. Why do you think He refused save
himself?

3. What was the Good Thief asking for when he said, “Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom?” Do you ask Jesus for the same thing?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Christ the King

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING
There is a saying in Theology: "The Church prays what she believes." We pray to God the Father in the Preface for the Feast of Christ the King. "You annointed Jesus Christ, Your only Son, with the oil of gladness, as the eternal Priest and universal King. As Priest He offered His life on the altar of the Cross and redeemed the human race as this one perfect sacrifice of peace. As King He claims dominion over all creation that He may present to You, His almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace."
As we pray today, so we believe that Jesus showed what kind of King He was by dying on the Cross. The Kingdom that He gives to the Father embraces all and brings holiness and salvation to all.
used with permission = Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Family Bible Study - Christ the King

Gospel Passage
John 18:33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus,
and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do
you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate
replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have
handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My
kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my
followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are
a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that 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.”

Questions
1. We celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The whole point of life is to enter
into His Kingdom. How do we enter into His Kingdom?

2. The Son of God took flesh and was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary “in
order to testify to the truth about God the Father.” What do you think the most important truth is that Jesus came to testify to?

3. Jesus says, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” How
hard do you try to listen carefully to Jesus’ voice everyday? How well do you
do those things that Jesus asks — in the readings of the Bible, in prayer —
every day? How well do you put what Jesus says into practice?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry