Thirty-Fourth Sunday of the Year, A – Nov 26, 2023.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe & Last Sunday of the Year.
Readings: Ex 34:11-12; Responsorial Psalm Ps. 22:1-3, 5-6; 1 Cor. 15:20-26,28; Gospel Matthew 25:31-46.
Theme: Celebrating Christ, King & Shepherd
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading presents us with the image of God as a shepherd who takes charge of his sheep because human shepherds disappointed him. In the second reading, St. Paul states that at the end of time, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father, having done away with every power. The gospel discloses that when Jesus comes in glory, he will take his throne where he would reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous. It lists the criteria for accessing the kingdom as – feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the sick or imprisoned. We are reminded that we are not only subjects of what St. Augustine calls “the City of Men,” but faithful heirs of “the City of God.”
Introduction
Christ in friends today is Christ the King – A day in which the liturgical cycle of the Church closes. Christ the King celebration reminds Christians about the indefectible place of Christ’s reign over the earth and the call to live as committed heirs of the Kingdom. On this day, Christians go on procession with the Blessed Sacrament while chanting Eucharistic hymns unto the Universal King of the Universe.
Christ the King: Historical sketch, Objectives of celebration
The celebration of Christ the King is traced to 1925 when Pope Pius XI instituted it. By 1970, the celebration was moved to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Holy Father wanted the solemnity to impact on the faithful in the following ways:
1. To enable them gain strength and courage upon meditating on these truths so as to live ideal Christian lives.
2. To facilitate our becoming subject to Christ’s dominion without exempting any of our faculties since his power embraces all peoples.
3. To let him reign in our minds, which must assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths, and to the doctrines of Christ.
4. To let Christ reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God.
5. To let him reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires, and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone.
6. To let him reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for interior sanctification of our souls, or instruments of justice unto God as Saint Paul would say.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Ex. 34:11-12) presents us with the image of God as shepherd who takes charge of his sheep because human shepherds disappointed him. He particularly mentions the most vulnerable sheep for special care yet noting that he would not forget the fat and healthy ones as well.
In the second reading (1 Cor. 15:20-26,28), St. Paul states that at the end of time, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father, having done away with every power. This reminds us that we are not only subjects of what St. Augustine calls “the City of Men” but heirs of “the City of God.”
The gospel (Matt. 25:31-46) discloses that when Jesus comes in glory escorted by the angels, he would take his throne where he would reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous. It lists the criteria for accessing the kingdom as – feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the sick or imprisoned.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Embrace servant leadership: Because the first reading assures that where human kings fail in shepherding the people, God’s reign over all supplies, this celebration urges earthly rulers to humble themselves as servant leaders under Christ’s universal kingship of heaven and earth underneath whose authority, we live and move, and have our being.
2. Proclaim Christ as King: This solemnity challenges us not to be ashamed of proclaiming Christ as king here on earth bearing in mind these words of scripture: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, I will be ashamed of proclaiming him in the presence of my father in heaven” (Lk. 9:26).
3. Adore the Eucharistic King: Today’s celebration presents us with the opportunity to not only adore the Eucharistic king, but also venerate him perpetually in the Blessed Sacrament as we wait the kingdom which St. Paul talks about in the second reading.
4. Be caring subjects: Christ the Kings reminds us to act becomingly as caring subjects of the kingdom by being docile princess and princesses showing the light of Christ everywhere we live by caring for those at the margins of society – the abjectly poor, the sick, the aged, the unloved etc as the gospel charges.
5. Be led by the Spirit: This celebration evokes faith and challenges us to allow the Holy Spirit to deepen our love for Jesus, the Universal King of heaven and earth while praying for an end to the current conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Summary Lines
1. In the first reading, we are presented with the image of God as shepherd who takes charge of his sheep because human shepherds disappointed him.
2. In the second reading, St. Paul states that at the end of time, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority, and power.
3. We are not only subjects of what St. Augustine calls “the City of Men” but heirs of “the City of God.”
4. The gospel discloses that when Jesus comes in glory, he will take his throne of glory where he would reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous.
5. It lists the criteria for accessing the kingdom as – feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the sick or imprisoned.
Conclusion
This celebration encourages us to always imitate the good thief who looked at his situation with the eye of faith by asking Jesus who remember him in his kingdom, unlike the bad the thief who viewed what happened with the eye situation and perished (Cf. Luke 23:39-43). As Cycle B of the Church’s liturgical calendar begins, may Christ the king reign in your heart, mind, soul, finances, sexuality, workplace, and home.
May he reign while you are in the bus, in your school, at hospital, in the city mall, at the cinema, as you fly, on the train and in the city. May this celebration positively affect every aspect of your life. May you live for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords as he helps you overcome every challenge in your life. Amen. Have a terrific week ahead!
