“THIS I DID FOR YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME? (cf. Matt 25:40, 45)
⏰Last Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Solemnity of Christ the King
📖Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23:1-2a, 2b-3, 5, 6 (R.v.1); 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Matt 25:31-46
Today, the Church celebrates in a special way, Christ, the Universal King. It is the last Sunday in the Ordinary Time of the Churchs Liturgical Year, pointing to the fact that Christ emerges victorious even to the very end. The Eucharistic procession round the streets and villages reminds us of Christ who, though being a King and equal to God, humbled himself to the level of a servant (Phil 2:5-8), going around towns and villages, proclaiming the good news, doing good works and healing all who were under the power of the devil (cf. Matt 9:35; Acts 10:38).
As he goes about again in the Eucharistic procession and every other day of our lives, may his presence bring transformation into your life and life situations. Amen.
The challenge before us today is to make ourselves available to Christ as instruments which he is going to use to bring that transformation to others. The Gospel informs us that our Judgment in the end would depend so much on how we were disposed to this task. How much effort are you making to alleviate the pains of those around you? Remember that to be a true disciple of Jesus is to love as he loved (cf. Jn. 13:34).
To whom and where are we to show this love? Christ himself answers us: To everyone and in everywhere (cf. Matt 25:34-45); At home whenever eyes fill up with tears; at work, in the classroom when tensions rise, on the playgrounds in the remote and dirty villages, the court, the hospitals, the jails, wherever suffering exists, my face is there and there I look for you to wipe away my blood and tears.
Finally, are you bothered by the challenges of life? Remember that Christ has conquered the world (Jn. 16:33) and destroyed all your enemies, including the last enemy which is death (1 Cor 15:25-26). He promised to take care of you as the shepherd takes care of the sheep (Ezek 34:11-17). As he does that for you, remember that the world would be a perfect place if you would do that also for others around you.
May the goodness and mercy of Christ, the Good Shepherd and Universal King, follow us all the days of our lives and may we dwell in the house of the Lord, forever and ever (Ps 23:6). Amen.
Peace be with you.
