This weekend we celebrate the great Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday in our church year. Next week, we begin the Season of Advent in preparation for the birth of Our Lord.
Christ truly is the King because He has conquered death for us and overcome evil in the world. But, as we come to the end of our church year, we are also reminded of the end of time, when we will stand before this King for our final judgment. The first reading from Ezekiel describes the separation of the sheep from the goats. In the Gospel, Matthew tells us that the sheep will be blessed and sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven. But the goats will be to the left and experience eternal damnation. The important word here is “eternal”; there are no “do-overs,” no second chances. We will be judged on how we live in this world and how we have given to others who are in need. As the Gospel says: “whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” As we have cared for others, we have cared for Jesus Himself.
However, it is the second part of this Gospel reading that is more difficult. It is called the “sin of omission,” where we fail to act as we should, or even to recognize that there is a need for action. Good intentions are not enough. This is our challenge - to open our eyes and ears and pay attention to those around us. And then we must open our hearts in love, as Jesus has loved us. Our King, by His victory on the cross, has opened the gates of heaven to us. Let us pray that we will be judged as sheep who are worthy to enter into this life with the Father.
--Carla LaBore, Adult Faith Formation