Ezekiel 34:11-12.15-17
Psalm 23: 1-3, 5-6
1Corinthians 15:20-26.28
Matthew 25: 31-46
Today, we celebrate the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Through his death and Resurrection, he overcame sin and death. He has become King over all and everything is subjected to him. He is the centre of our human history and is leading us into the kingdom of God the Father (1 Cor. 15:20-26.28).
But it is important to know that Jesus Christ is not a King like the kings of this world. In fact, today’s readings offer us three images of Christ the King: he is Shepherd, Judge and Needy. In the first reading, God proclaims that he is the True Shepherd of Israel. He promises to personally care for his people, as the shepherd cares for the sheep, and will judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats (Ezek. 34:11-12.15-17).
In the parable of the judgment of the nations, Jesus takes up this image and presents himself as the Judge of the nations, the one who separates sheep from goats. The “sheep” 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.
It is interesting to note that at the judgment, both the righteous and the unrighteous are surprised. The righteous are amazed to discover that their ordinary and simple acts of kindness and generosity towards others were in fact a service to the King of the universe himself. On the other hand, the unrighteous were astonished that their negligence, insensitivity and carelessness towards the needy was a failure to serve Jesus (Matt. 25:31-46).
This tells us that at the end of our lives, we will be judged by the standard of concrete and tangible acts of love and mercy, especially the needy, the marginalized and the suffering. This parable is therefore a challenge to us. To celebrate Christ the King is an opportunity to renew our loyalty to the Lord, a loyalty that is to be shown in the way that we love every human being we meet in our life. By so doing, the Lord will say on the judgment day: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” May he bless and keep all of us. Amen
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