Bible Readings:
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:9-12)
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11,16)
A Reflection
There is some controversy at the moment around the rights and wrongs of undercover police officers posing as activists in order to infiltrate political or protest organisations. Men who spend years living a double life and forming long-term relationships with people who are totally unaware of their real motives. Where is the balance between the abuse of relationships and the protection of the country?
On the Sunday before Advent, the Church celebrates the feast of ‘Christ the King’, the King who came undercover, ‘lowly and riding on a donkey’, so much so that he was unrecognised by the majority of his subjects or by the wider world.
If you were to look back over your life, the years, the months or even the last few days, can you identify times where Jesus was present, but unrecognised by you?
Where was your Undercover King at work, in his gentleness and humility?
In what ways might Jesus be present in your life today, but as yet unrecognised by you?
Jesus will return one day as King of kings and Lord of Lords, riding on a white horse, and there will be much controversy over his arrival by those who have rejected the King riding on a donkey.
As Christians we look forward to that day with hope, but in the meantime, let us follow our king who came on a donkey, advancing the Kingdom of God as undercover agents, working in his world, as he did, with grace and humility so that others might become children of God.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see you present in my life today.
Give me the grace to serve you and your world with gentleness and humility, until you return as victorious King.
Amen
Glorious Day (Living he loved me)
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