Weekly Reflection

THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like." - St. Augustine of Hippo

In today's first reading, the prophet Ezekiel presents God as the Good Shepherd through the shepherd's imagery. A shepherd that cares for his sheep, shelters and nourishes them. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, reveals Christ's power over death. God, who raised Jesus, will surely raise us. In the Gospel, Jesus presents the scene of the judgment day. Christ the King will separate the goat from the sheep to judge how we have shared his love with our brethren.

The last Sunday of the liturgical year helps us reflect on Christ's dominion, judgment and love. In Christ, we find the King of heaven and earth. Christ the King reminds us of his judgment's criteria based on love shared with others.

The teaching of the Church on the corporal work of mercy reflects the expectations of Jesus in today's gospel. Remember the corporal works of mercy - Feed the Hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Shelter the homeless, Comfort the imprisoned, Visit the sick, Bury the dead, Give alms to the poor.      
  
Considering Christ’s judgment hereafter, are you living the dictates of the corporal work of mercy based on the gospel of Mathew 25: 31-46?

Catechism of the Catholic Church
CCC 1786: - Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection. Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." For the Christian, "to reign is to serve him," particularly when serving "the poor and the suffering, in whom the Church recognizes the image of her poor and suffering founder." The People of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ.
The sign of the cross makes kings of all those reborn in Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit consecrates them as priests, so that, apart from the particular service of our ministry, all spiritual and rational Christians are recognized as members of this royal race and sharers in Christ's priestly office. What, indeed, is as royal for a soul as to govern the body in obedience to God? And what is as priestly as to dedicate a pure conscience to the Lord and to offer the spotless offerings of devotion on the altar of the heart?

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the first reading, the book of Proverbs presents us with a worthy wife, valued beyond pearls. She is diligent, faithful, industrious, and in fear of the Lord. St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, admonishes us as children of light to remain watchful and sober, living in a manner that portrays our readiness for the Lord’s Day. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the talents to challenge us to use our talents and gifts for God’s service. We must do something positive and productive with our God-given talents here and now.

We have the responsibility to preserve and keep the faith alive by putting to work the gifts given to us by God. There are so many avenues to apply our gifts and talents. Opportunities abound in our homes, offices, and parishes. For example, in the parish, we should always be willing to share our abilities in creative worship in the Church and various ministries of our parish, such as lector, usher, faith formation teacher, singer in the choir, volunteer, and member of one or more parish organizations and community outreach programs.

Do you fan into flame the gifts of God for his glory like the first two servants? Or, like the third servant, you preserve and keep your talent? What will the Lord say of your abilities if he calls you to death today?

We all want God to tell us: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!

Catechism of the Catholic Church
CCC 1937: - These differences belong to God's plan, who wills that each receive what he needs from others, and that those endowed with particular "talents" share the benefits with those who need them. These differences encourage and often oblige persons to practice generosity, kindness, and sharing of goods; they foster the mutual enrichment of cultures: I distribute the virtues quite diversely; I do not give all of them to each person, but some to one, some to others. . . . I shall give principally charity to one; justice to another; humility to this one, a living faith to that one. . . . And so I have given many gifts and graces, both spiritual and temporal, with such diversity that I have not given everything to one single person, so that you may be constrained to practice charity towards one another. . . . I have willed that one should need another and that all should be my ministers in distributing the graces and gifts they have received from me.