Reflection for 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Ezekial 34:11-12, 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
As the leaves continue to fall from the trees, leaving them almost bare, the temperatures drop and the daylight hours are shorter, we get a sense of the change of the season – winter will soon be here. This Sunday, with the Feast of Christ the King, we have another ending, the liturgical year concludes and soon Advent will be here.
We celebrate today Jesus Christ, King of Kings. Jesus, whose kingdom is not bound to any geographic area or even this world, but extends throughout the entire universe. Jesus is King of the Universe. Then I heard the voice of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea; everything in the universe cried aloud: “To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!” (Rev 5:12-13)
This is the third week that we have been following the 25th chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew. Last week we heard the parable of the talents and the week before, the parable of the ten virgins and this Sunday, the parable of the last judgment – where we can easily see the culmination of Jesus’ explanations and teachings on the kingdom of God. The road to the kingdom of God and to the king Jesus Christ is illustrated by Mt 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.
When our life is lived in Jesus Christ following Matthew 25, at the end we will hear: Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom that I prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt 25:33).
While our charity does not replace faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, we will be judged by the works we do. Recall Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: But if I washed your feet – I who am Teacher and Lord – then you must wash each other’s feet. (Jn 13:14) Each day we must do something to help someone in need – otherwise it is a wasted day in the eyes of eternity!
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike