Sunday 26th of November 2023 - Christ the King

Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17/ Psalm 22(23)/ 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,28/ Matthew 25:31-46

This is the last Sunday of the church’s year, and we celebrate the kingship of Jesus and that he has been given sovereignty over all creation until he finally hands it all over to God the Father. We think of kingship as having power and authority over others but although the kingship of Jesus does give him power over all he exercises it in a different way. Jesus is the servant king, the king who cares for his subjects like a shepherd cares for his sheep. Cherishing us, guarding us against danger, healing our wounds, calming our fears, and ultimately giving his life for us. Jesus has been made the ultimate carer and judge and will evaluate our lives on how much we have followed him by providing care for others.

We are reminded today not only of the care we are under but also that we will be subject to a final judgement sooner or later. This should not fill us with fear but give us the opportunity to assess our own behaviour as matched with the example given by Jesus. What will this judgement mean for me as an individual? We can be tempted to go along with the flock, like sheep that need constant care and direction. Sheep can display remarkable stupidity and on occasions seem to seek out many ways of putting themselves in danger. The analogy of Jesus being the shepherd king is a good one because human beings can also display the stupidity of sheep. At the final judgement we will not be judged as a flock or group but as an individual. I will be judged based on how I responded to my baptismal responsibilities. Many of the things that preoccupy our minds are not mentioned in today’s gospel, it is all about how we showed love for the poor and needy.

Old Testament scripture often depicts God in the role of shepherd. This role is taken up by Jesus in the New Testament. He cares for the outcasts in society, the lost sheep of the flock, even dying for them on the cross. We should not be surprised that after giving us this example, Jesus will be looking for how we have emulated his behaviour in the way we have lived our lives. Founded by Jesus the church has always reached out to the needy. Our redemption depends on how open hearted we have been.

We see the example set by Jesus being fulfilled in the work done on our behalf by Caritas, food banks, support for the homeless, prison ministry, rough sleepers, and all who are lost and broken. It will not be sufficient for us to let others do this work on our behalf; we must be personally involved in it in some way. Who are those who need my love now? We must not fall into the trap of doing charity to ingratiate ourselves. It is a duty set for us by God and not something we do to feel good about ourselves or to appear good in the sight of others. When we come before Jesus our just judge we will be acutely aware of our true value in his eyes. The judgement is not based on sinful conduct or morality but rather on how we have sought to do good to others. 

We are given several categories of people that need our outreach. We will be judged on how we have cared for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and those in prison. Jesus is identified with all these people, and it is him we serve when we serve them. In preparing for our final judgment, we must see the face of Jesus in the most marginalised subjects of his kingdom.

How have we followed the example given to us by Jesus? What we do to others, good or bad, we do to Christ the King.

God Bless, Brendan.