By William Selvaraj csc –
Readings: Ezek 14: 11-12, 15-17; 1 Cor 15: 20-26; Mt 25: 31-46
Today, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. This feast emphasises three things: 1-Jesus is truly the King of the Universe; 2-Jesus’ kingship is not of this world; 3-He rules not by power and authority, armies and weapons, but by merciful love and humble service, by patient suffering and sacrificial death, by benevolent compassion and unconditional forgiveness.
The Gospel focuses on Jesus’ power and might as we see in Mt 25:31-32. Christ the King’s judgment is totally different from that of worldly human judges. It is not based on power or money but on the basis of care, concern, and compassion that one has shown to the poor in the society.
The Gospel also portrays the corporal works of mercy which concerns the material and physical needs of others. They are to feed the hungry, to give water to the thirsty, to cloth the naked, to shelter the homeless, to visit the sick, and to visit the imprisoned. The question Jesus raises to each of us is: ‘Do you really love me? If so, do you really follow the corporal works of mercy?’ It is easy to tell that we love God and follow his commandments and precepts of the church and donate money to the church on a regular basis. But the essential things that Jesus is longing to see in us are to put the words into action and practice the corporal works of mercy.
Can we love God whom we cannot see without loving the people whom we see and encounter each day? It is impossible to love God who is invisible without loving the poor who are visible. It is in the poor and the lowly that God resides in. The two commandments of ‘Love of God’ and ‘Love of Neighbour’ are interrelated and interconnected. So, on this festive day, let us ask the Lord’s grace and blessings to strengthen us, to do the corporal works of mercy faithfully to the needy and lowly and find his presence among them.