In our First Reading, From the Book Of the Prophet Daniel
12:1-3
Again we find Israel is still occupied by the Syrians, who tried to impose Greek language, culture, and religion on the Jews. Many of the faithful Jews chose death rather than accept the pagan gods or violate the Mosiac Law. There is a message of hope, God will help- if not in this life, then in the hereafter. Some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. So when we are depressed: Have faith in God.
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him in your self-giving.
In the Second Reading, From Revelation
1:5-8
We hear that we have to encourage our fellow faithful followers that Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega which means "I am the First and the Last" The final victory over all the peoples of the earth will be only achieved at the end, when Christ will present to his 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." Be a part of it!
In the Gospel of John
18:33b-3
Jesus was crucified on the charge that he claimed to be a Messiah. Pilate's inscription "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews" placed on the cross, was a sarcastic warning to all Messiah- pretenders to be careful., if they planned to revolt against the mighty Roman Empire . Jesus reinterprets what kingship means to him. It is not political in character. Jesus' statement that he came to testify to the truth. His kingdom will never be fully realized on earth. There will always be evil and enemies of the good. Jesus is king and shares power with God. In heaven he constantly intercedes for us" and waits until his enemies are made his footstool, which will happen at the end of time.
