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

Serving our King and Shepherd

The readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King tell us that Christ is a caring leader who longs for us to live together as his Reign of God is made real in our world. The first reading tells of the Lord as a shepherd gathering in his flock and tending to them. The second reading reminds us that everything is subject to Jesus Christ, including death. In the gospel Jesus tells of the Judgement of the world, where those who served him in this life are separated from those who did not.

Our Lord Jesus was heralded as the Newborn King in the Incarnation, in the line of the Great King David, and was adored by Magi from the East. He was also feared as a threat by King Herod, who tried to have Him killed. When He was preaching, He spoke of a Kingdom that was at hand and in our midst if we dare follow His ways. In the Our Fatherthat He taught to His disciples, He speaks of a Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven! At His trial before His Crucifixion, He says that His Kingdom is not of this world, but of the Kingdom of Heaven. And today, on this Feast, we claim Jesus Christ as Our King and King of the Universe!

But is Jesus like other Kings that we have heard about in history or even see today in some parts of the world? No, not really. He is not a controlling and domineering political figure, nor even a benevolent dictator. Our King is a Shepherd and a Servant Leader. How can this be? Is He really a King if He tells us that He has come not to be served but to serve? If He washes the feet of His disciples, the role of a servant? If He cares for us like a Good Shepherd cares for His sheep, and He is willing to leave the 99 to find the one who has gone astray? Does this sound like a high and mighty King – a judge who sits on His royal throne that we need to fear? No, it doesn’t, and Thanks Be to God that Our King is a Good Shepherd and a Servant Leader!  (Source unknown)

The gospel reading is one of the most startling in all of scripture. It is one that can provide great hope or fill us with fear. We Catholics are told that a literal understanding of scripture can lead to false understandings of what God expects of us or is calling us to. And yet, this gospel is one that everyone of us should take literally. Jesus said to his disciples:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

We hear Jesus identifying himself as a shepherd king, one who sits in judgement and separates the sheep from the goats. Are we the sheep in this gospel who show concern for others? Are we the ones who donate food and serve at the soup kitchen? Are we the ones who care for the sick and seek just treatment for the imprisoned? Are we the ones who donate to or teach third world people how to get fresh water? Do we donate our used but good clothes to the poor? Or, are we the goats who only care for ourselves and our needs? Am I indifferent to the suffering of others? Am I immune to the suffering of the vulnerable people in our society? In serving others, we are really serving Jesus. Jesus identifies with the suffering and clearly states, “For I was hungry…”  When we serve others, we are really serving Jesus. It is our responsibility as followers of Jesus to provide for the basic needs of the vulnerable in our community and to advocate on their behalf. It is of utmost importance to take this gospel reading seriously!

Do I see Christ in the vulnerable in society?

In what ways do I respond to Jesus’ call to serve the vulnerable of our society?

What keeps me from serving those in need?