Gospel Meditation: Christ the King

I offer a guided Ignatian meditation on today's Gospel. This is an invitation to let the scripture enter into your heart and mind and speak personally to you. Ignatius said that meditation specifically engages our memory, thoughts, and will. We hear the word of God, and we ponder it, noticing any words, images, or ideas that speak to our hearts. And we speak to God about all of this.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the text. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text.

If at any point during the guided meditation the scripture comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written meditation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the grace to desire to follow Christ the King in all ways.

Read the passage slowly twice, savoring the words. The first time, just listen to get a sense of it, to hear what is being said. The second time, notice any word or phrase, image, or idea that speaks to your heart or “shimmers” for you. Stay with that word, image, or idea and ponder its meaning. Notice how it makes you feel. Savor the experience. 

Today is the feast of Christ, the King, and Jesus tells his disciples about a time in the future, when he will sit as king on a glorious throne at the final judgement of the nations. For Americans, a king might be something we identify with foreign countries, or with the distant past, or with fictional stories. When you think of Jesus as King, as your leader, your sovereign, someone you follow loyally -- what images and feelings come to mind for you?

Jesus goes on to tell us what following him as king means. At the end of this liturgical year, take a look back on the year, and ask Jesus to show you how you have encountered him in individuals who are hungry or thirsty, in the stranger, those who are naked, ill, or in prison.

Ask him to show you how you responded to the needs of these individuals. See their faces, remember those encounters, whether they were in person, on the phone, online, or through an organization you assisted.

How do you feel when Jesus tells you that in your solidarity and service to others, you were in solidarity and service to him?
Looking back on this year, ask Jesus to show you the ways in which you missed or perhaps even avoided encountering individuals who are hungry or thirsty, the stranger, those who are naked, ill, or in prison.

What feelings and thoughts arise as you reflect on these instances of missed opportunity to encounter Jesus?

Now, having listened to Jesus tell you what it means, really, to follow him loyally as your king, what images and feelings come to mind for you?

Finally, take some time to talk with Jesus about what you have felt and experienced during this prayer. Ask Jesus for any help you may need. Talk with him as with a friend, sharing and listening for any invitations or counsel he may have for you.

And when you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.