Cycle A - Year II:  

23 November 2014: Solemnity of Christ the King 

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus Christ, our King!

The Church ends this Sunday another liturgical year by proclaiming the

Kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ. who is the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega of all creation. An so it is fitting that we close the year by celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King.

The Gospel reading from Matthew also speaks of an ending: the coming of the Son of Man in glory at the end of time.

The core message of the Gospel passage seems to be that the story of our salvation history is continuing. It did not end with the resurrection of Christ, or his ascension into heaven. It does not even end at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Because our salvation ends with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father, when He comes again to judge the living and the dead.

At the end of time, Jesus describes the possible fate of the human soul: eternal life with Him or eternal punishment in hell. It depends upon the accounting we give of the love we have shown for God and neighbor, or the lack of it, while in this life. In other words, heaven or hell are but the crowning of the life we live on earth. The guidelines that our Lord gives us are really simple. They begin with what we do or fail to do here and now: "...whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.... what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." Our Lord Jesus Christ is the final Judge to whom we must render an accounting of our lives on earth at the end of time.

What then is the significance of the Solemnity of Christ the King in our lives today?

Well, knowing the end of the story of our salvation --judgment, eternal life or punishment-- should have a significant impact on how we live in the present. We realize that while in this world, Christ does not force his kingship on us, his subjects. He prefers that we voluntarily submit out of love for Him. But on the final judgment day, there is no second chance, and there is no escaping divine justice. As the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ will separate the sheep from the goats according to the criterion of love and charity that we do to others, especially the least ones in our midst.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!