THEME: SEPARATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS FROM THE WICKED!

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

Dear sisters and brothers, today as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday that liturgical calendar closes; the first reading presents God as a Good Shepherd who takes charge of his sheep because human shepherds failed him in that regard. He assures that he would take care of the most vulnerable sheep as well as the fat and healthy ones.

And the gospel reading of today’s celebration of CHRIST THE KING, presents us with the scenario of how it will be when Christ, the King of the Universe will come again in glory as a judge amidst his angels (Matthew 25:31-46).

The King will separate humanity into two, like a shepherd does with his sheep and goats, one on his right and the other on his left. He will tell those on his right to come into his kingdom prepared for them from the beginning because they were able to see Him in the needy (the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, those in prison etc) and come to his help. These people are those who always stepped into action without indifferent or waiting to be begged; they will enter into the joy of the kingdom prepared for them.

He will order those on his left to go into the hell fire prepared for them because they NEGLECTED to see Him in the needy and so failed to come to His help. Emphasizing on this, Jesus goes further to tell us that, whatever we do or fail to do to ANYONE, even the least person on earth, that, we do or fail to do it to him.

Jesus teaches us here that, we should see and love him in every human being. Holiness is not just the avoidance of evil act but more about being sensitive and doing what is good as well as challenging what is evil. Holiness is wholeness, it is encompassing.  On that day, before the throne judgment of God, we shall all be scrutinized on how sensitive we are to the situations that call for our possible help. Being sensitive to a situation that calls for ones help remains a noble and unique virtue. ‘Never be tired of doing whatever that is good in all situations’ (2 Thess. 3:13). ‘Anyone who knows what is good but NEGLECTS to do it, for that person it is a sin’, (Jam 4:17), the sin of omission.

Jesus has left us with the criteria for accessing the kingdom; feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked and visiting the sick or imprisoned. And Jesus said that the wicked will go away to eternal punishment and the virtuous to eternal life.

May God give us the grace to live a virtuous life of doing good as to enter into eternal life,  Amen.

Happy Sunday!