Walking with Jesus: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

For Sunday, November 26, 2023

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46

Today we are celebrating the feast of Christ the King. At the same time it is the last day of the Church year … which is year A of a three-year cycle. Next week is the First Sunday of Advent, starting year B of the three-year cycle.

On this feast day we need to set aside the first images of a king that come to mind. Why? Because Jesus is depicting that God as King is first and foremost a Shepherd. We are quite familiar with Psalm 23, having heard it in sermons and funerals and seen it on plaques hanging in honored spots in many homes. Perhaps the most famous title of Jesus as a Good Shepherd is found in John’s Gospel [John 10:1-21], where Jesus adds to our understanding of what makes a good shepherd. The good shepherd is sacrificial. He is willing to ignore His own needs in order to meet the needs of the sheep. Over and over in the passage He states that the good shepherd gives His own life for His sheep.

So how do I view God right now? Is He loving? Is He forgiving? Does He hold grudges? Does He care? Am I just a little fish in a big pond or, more precisely, in a huge ocean?

We look at Jesus in our readings today for help in refining our vision of God.

In Ezekiel we have the most elaborate portrayal of God as shepherd. At this point in this book, Ezekiel has already denounced the leaders of the community in their failure to care for the people. They have failed to protect the people from invasions. They have ignored the prophet’s words that would have saved the nation, placing their faith in alliances with nearby nations instead of turning to God. (A lesson for us.) As a result the kingdom has collapsed. We look at and reflect on the description of God, from God to Ezekiel — and to us:

I will look after and tend my sheep … when they are together or the ones who scatter … each one of them I will find and rescue … even those lost in the dark of night … I will feed them with food and comfort and find a safe place for them to rest … those who strayed I will bring back … those who are injured I will bandage up and heal their wounds … I will care for the sick … I will protect and love them. I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

Everyone is unique … all are loved for their individuality … all are special … you and me alike.

How do I respond each day to this God of Love?

Paul shifts our attention to the Corinthian community in describing the end times. Paul has already insisted that Jesus’ resurrection affects ours: We too will rise … Jesus has promised heaven for those who believe and have faith. We then will be free from every encumbrance — including death — so that we will be able to live in heaven forever. At His second coming, all who belong to Him will be brought to life. At the end of time Jesus will hand over the Kingdom to His heavenly Father. He has promised. Am I living His promise? Do I believe?

The gospel of Matthew describes Jesus’ coming to render the final judgment to all of creation from the beginning time. Scholars believe that “all the nations” [Matthew 25:32] refers to gentiles, Jews and all peoples. Then Jesus will continue to function as a shepherd, separating the sheep from the goats: The sheep are considered good and the goats are bad.

So very interesting is the yardstick for admittance to heaven — a measure of six good actions: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the ill and visiting those in prison. Some scholars believe this could refer to Christian missionaries in Matthew’s time. When we reflect on our lives and the “good” actions vs. “bad actions,” where are we judged?  There is no question; the basic teaching is clear:

Humans will be judged by their willingness to reach out and minister to those in need — whoever they may be.

Reflections from Franciscan Media:

• “Good shepherds remain in moments of crisis; hirelings flee at the first sign of trouble.”
• “Although no one can truly cure all the world’s ills, everyone can do something to alleviate the suffering of others.”
• “A life that revolves exclusively around my comfort will eventually make me deaf and blind to the needs of others.”

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“Jesus is very clear about the criteria for knowing whether I am a sheep or a goat — how have I loved; how have I cared for others, especially the poor, the needy and the marginalized? Looking back over the last day or week, I recall times when I have acted as Jesus asked, and give thanks.”