34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST, THE UNIVERSAL KING

Ezekiel 34:11-12.15-17; 

Psalm 23: 1-3, 5-6

1Corinthians 15:20-26.28; 

Matthew 25: 31-46

We celebrate today, the Kingship of Christ, Jesus. Through his death and Resurrection, he overcame sin and death, thus establishing his kingship over all. Everything is therefore subjected to him. He is the centre of our human history and is leading us into the kingdom of God the Father (1Cor. 15:20-26.28).

But what kind of king is Jesus Christ? According to the first and gospel readings, Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and the Judge. In the first reading, God proclaims that he is the True Shepherd of Israel. As a shepherd, he knows us; he feeds us, protects and cares for us. If such is our Lord and King, then there is nothing we shall want (Ps. 23).

As the Judge, Jesus Christ will sit on his throne of glory to judge the nations at the end of time.  He will separate the sheep from the goats, thus fulfilling the word of God as announced in the first reading. The “sheep”, in our parable today, represent the righteous, the blessed, those for whom the kingdom of heaven has been prepared. The “goats” represent the cursed, those for whom the eternal punishment is reserved.

At the judgment of the King, both the sheep and the goats were surprised. For the sheep, in being sensitive and coming to the aid of the needy and sufferers, they never knew they were welcoming and caring for Jesus himself. On the other hand, out of negligence, insensitivity and carelessness of the goats, they failed to serve Jesus in the least of men and women (Matt. 25:31-46).

This tells us how the King of the universe will judge us at the end our lives: how sensitive have you been to the miseries and needs of others, especially the needy, the marginalized and those suffering.

May the King of kings help us to recognize him in the least of our brothers and sisters so that we may share in his Kingdom.

Amen

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Proverbs 31:10…31;
Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5;
1Thessalonians 5:1-6;
Matthew. 25:14-30

As we are getting closer to the end of the liturgical year, the readings draw our attention to the Day of the Lord, a day of rendering account to him. The first reading tells us that the “perfect” and praiseworthy wife is hard to find. But when found, she is a treasure. She is the example of a humble and faithful servant who goes about her daily chores with love and dedication. She opens her doors for the poor and needy (Prov. 31:10…31).

For St Paul, the Lord will surely come; but when, how, and where, we do not know. What is important is to stay wide awake and sober because we are sons of the day (1Thes. 5:1-6).

What should we do to keep ourselves awake? The parable of the talents in the gospel reading tells us to be at work, using and making fruitful the talents we have received. The three servant received talents each according to his abilities.At the end, the first two were praised and called to share in their master’s joy because they used their talents and made profit. The third servant hid his talent out of fear of his master, whom he judges to be too demanding and usurper (Matt. 25:14-30).

Indeed, none of us is bereft of God's grace. God has endowed each of us with great potentials and talents that need to be explored, exploited and made fruitful. Thus, the talents we have are not to be put in the pocket. They are to be used for our own growth and the benefit of others, especially the poor and the needy.

Sometimes, out of fear, envy and resentment, we decide to do nothing, but complaining and accusing others. We must therefore remember, to work or not to work is our personal decision. In any case, we are responsible for our success or failure, for our gains or losses.

May the Lord help us to use the graces we have received and make ourselves ready for his coming.

Amen

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Wisdom 6:12-16;
Psalm 62: 2-8;
1Thessalonians 4:13-18;
Matthew 25:1-13

Christian life is about searching for God who is the source of wisdom. Thus, those who seek wisdom find God. This way, the first reading tells us that wisdom is readily found by those who look for her. When found, wisdom becomes the light that enlightens one’s way and dispels anxiety and trouble (Wisdom 6:12-16).

Meanwhile, we cannot search for something while asleep. Searching requires alertness and awareness of one’s surrounding. In this perspective, the believer, like the psalmist, must stay awake even at night. For the psalmist says: “On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night” (Ps 62). This staying awake for God nourishes in us hope. For us Christians, our hope lies in Christ Jesus who died and rose from the dead. For we too will be raised from the dead to meet him when he comes again. This hope is that which comforts us (1Thessalonians. 4:13-18). 

Similarly, in the gospel reading, Jesus ends the parable of the ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom with a call to stay awake. Among the ten virgins, five were wise because they took oil with their lamps. The five others were foolish because they took lamps without oil, either out of negligence or forgetfulness. 

But whatever the case may be, the parable teaches us three important lessons:

1. We must always take an “extra oil” or a "power bank". We must make adequate provision for unexpected situations.

2. Last minutes preparations can be dangerous. So always be ready, by always praying and doing good.

3. Not everything can be borrowed. For instance, we cannot borrow someone’s good works to go to heaven, the Lord will not recognize us. Thus, each of us must work for his or her own salvation.

May the Lord help us to always and everywhere take the oil of good works and prayer.

 Amen.