Feast of Christ the King
Cycle A
November 22, 2020
Saint Mary Parish, Pylesville 8 a.m.
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 11 a.m.
The Big Question
This morning, let’s think about a big question.
What determines our final destiny? What do we have to do to experience eternal life with God?
What do we have to do to reach an inner peace that will never be taken away? What do we have to do to get to heaven?
All of these are really the same question. I am guessing that each of us thinks about these questions from time to time.
The Surprising Answer
The answer Jesus gives in today’s gospel parable may be surprising.
And, by the way, in all four gospels, this is the only description of what the Last Judgment will be like. The gospels don’t describe the Last Judgment anywhere else, so I think this is worth our attention.
Jesus says that those of us who are a blessing to others will inherit the kingdom. The kingdom is Jesus’ expression for eternal live, for lasting happiness and peace, for heaven.
Jesus says that those of us who care for the least in our world will enter the kingdom. We might expect that Jesus would give some other answer related to Church teaching or the visible practice of our faith.
That’s why I say that Jesus’ answer may be surprising. And in a way, it is even more surprising because the sheep in the parable, the ones who do care for the least persons, they admit that they do not see Jesus in these least persons.
They just do what they can to care for them, and Jesus says this is what leads them into the kingdom. Let’s look at some examples of what this might be like for us.
The Answer: Personal
In our personal lives, maybe you have a parent or spouse who is suffering with dementia. Step by step, he or she is diminishing right before your eyes.
This is very painful to deal with and witness. But, you make sure you give time to them.
You want them to feel that you are there and that they are not alone. Jesus says: “I was ill, and you cared for me.”
Or maybe you have a son or daughter in college who is floundering. They are neglecting their studies and hanging out with the wrong crowd.
You know that they are hungering for something – acceptance, belonging, purpose – something to help make sense of their lives. You lay down some boundaries, but above all you are there for them.
You try to discern their feelings and you try to provide emotional and spiritual nourishment. Jesus says: “I was hungry, and you gave me food.”
The Answer: Societal
Then, on the broader level of our society, maybe we see a man standing at a traffic intersection. He looks unshowered, he is wearing raggedy clothes, and he’s holding a cardboard sign that says: “Homeless. Out of work. Need job or money.”
We don’t know what is true or how any money we would give him will be used. But still, we reflect on how this man might have gotten to this point and how humiliating this must be for him.
We may or may not offer him some money, but we do pray for him and for others who are in the same straits. Jesus says: “I was naked, and you clothed me.”
And then there are many complicated issues before our country and our world. And we look at these in a time that is very challenging.
We can be tempted to form opinions only from the viewpoint of our own wellbeing, of what’s best for me. But instead, we try to take a broader perspective and think about the common good of everyone.
We try to take into account those who lack the basics for life and even for survival. Jesus says: “Whatever you do for these least of mine, that you do for me.”
Conclusion
So, Jesus deals with a big question today, and his answer may be surprising.
It is whoever cares for the least, even if we don’t see Jesus in them, we will enter the kingdom of God. That’s the message of the only Last Judgment scene in the gospels.
