Homily for Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. Matthew 25:31-46. Topic: You Did It to Me
Today’s Solemnity of Christ the King brings our Church calendar year to its close with the very majestic and sweeping scene of Jesus judging the entire human race. At that time which we call the Last Day, the angels will gather all peoples together from all the nations, from all eras of human history. From prehistoric cave men and women to modern day athletes and celebrities, from the ancient peoples of Africa to our futuristic descendants on planet Earth, all will come before the Risen Lord who is both King and Judge. This gospel parable hold many lesson for us that are of vital, indeed, eternal, importance!
The first is that Jesus Christ is Judge and King, Lord and Savior of all people, whether they acknowledge this or not. Not only we Christians, but people of all faiths and of no faith will have the appear before Jesus of Nazareth. The Jewish People and Muslims, the Buddhists and the Hindus will all have to appear before Jesus of Nazareth. The Scientologists and New Age devotees, pagans and practitioners of witchcraft will all have to appear before Jesus of Nazareth. Why? Because although we think that we are responsible only to ourselves for our lives and our behavior, the truth is that we are not. We are all - each and every one of us - ultimately answerable to Jesus Christ, Son of God come-in-the-flesh, Savior of the world, Redeemer of the human race, through who all things were made and are kept in existence.
Secondly, the parable tells us what to do if we want to pass the Judgement test. This reminds me of the always-asked question from my students at the hospital when midterms or finals roll around: “What’s going to be on the test?” They each want pass it with flying colors! Well, Jesus is telling us quite clearly in today’s Gospel what will be on the test for entering the Kingdom prepared by the Father. He declares to us, “What you did to the least, you did to me.” Notice that Jesus calls those in need his brothers and sisters. By this he means two things. First, that we must take care of the needy among us who make up the Body of Christ. And secondly, we are to serve every human being in need because though his incarnate humanity, the Son of God entered into solidarity and identification with every single human person.
The third truth can be very disturbing, especially to those who find the status quo of their lives nice and comfortable. You see, those who were thrown into the darkness and were shut out of the Kingdom were not condemned because of something they did wrong. They received eternal punishment because they did nothing. Their sin was that they refused to get involved and alleviate the human suffering they encountered as best they could. Not everyone can be a Mother Teresa dedicating their whole lives to organized works of mercy, but every can and must do what they can to relieve the suffering they encounter among those whom they encounter in everyday life. And in this age of global communication and assistance, a person would need to be made of ice with a stone-cold heart to not give as they can and provide help where it is needed. Jesus reminds us that we will judged not only on what we chose to do to others but also on what we chose not to do!
Finally, this parable teaches us that salvation does not come from simply being a “good person”, a humanitarian or a philanthropist. Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is the fruit of a deep and authentic relationship with God. Salvation, which means healing from our sins and living in a right relationship with God, comes from a faith that sees and serves Jesus Christ in the poor and needy. In other words, this parable is all about how we live out the Great Commandment to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.
Jesus teaches us that the way we can tell if our relationship with him is authentic, if our living of Christianity is genuine, and if the Holy Spirit is dwelling us in powerfully is by looking at our where we put our time, our talent and our treasure. Are these gifts from God put at the service of self or at the service of the least fortunate among us? To put it clearly and succinctly: the barometer of our love for God is directly proportional to the flesh-and-bone real life way that we show compassionate aid to others. As it is said elsewhere in the Scriptures: if we say that we love God but do not show love towards our neighbor, we are liars and only fooling ourselves.
Today’s Solemnity of Christ the King is a reminder that our lives and the world as we know it will come to an end. Indeed, human history on planet Earth itself will come to an end. So often we live and act as if we are immortal, untouchable, impenetrable. But the truth is that we are all - each and every one of us - utterly powerless in this regard. And perhaps this might be a blessing that we can see in the curse of the coronavirus pandemic. It makes us face the truth about our own mortality.
No president or president-elect can save us from Covid, no matter what they claim or to which political party they belong. No congressperson can rescue us from the pandemic. No governor can keep us from contamination. They all know as well as we do that they too are utterly powerless. There is only One who can indeed save and heal us and yet…are we truly listening to Him? He says to each and every one of us: “Whatsoever you do, you did it to me.”
Here is a special prayer that was given to the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1925 when he instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King. He asked that everyone offer this prayer every year on today’s feast. Recite it carefully and you’ll see how much we need it in today’s world!
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, each one of us freely dedicates ourselves today to your Most Sacred Heart. There are many people who have never known you; many, too, who have despised and rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house, so that they do not die in spiritual wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps apart from us. Call them back to the community of the Church which is the harbor of truth and of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church religious freedom and protection from harm. Give the peace of law and order to all peoples. May the population on earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that brought about our salvation; to Jesus be glory and honor for ever. Amen.
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