Sunday, 26 November 2023. Read Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17, Ps. 23:1-3a,5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,28, Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.” (Matthew 25:31-32)
Last Sunday, Jesus told a parable about a king who went on a journey and gave his servants talents according to their abilities. One servant received five talents, another two, and another one. Upon his return, the king was disappointed with the servant who buried his talent and didn’t even consider saving it with the bankers.
Today’s celebration prefigures the return of the King at the end of time. It reminds us again that we shall give an account of our lives at the end of time. However, it goes even further to tell us more about the nature of Jesus’ Kingship. Unlike our political leaders who occupy the position of kings in our society (while our traditional rulers are largely relegated to the background due to colonialism), Jesus exercises His kingly power as both a shepherd (provider, protector, guide, etc.) and a priest (sanctifier).
Today’s first reading describes Jesus as the shepherd who seeks out His sheep. The Psalmist sings of Jesus as the shepherd who provides our needs. The second reading hints at Jesus as the priest who sacrificed Himself for our sake. Finally, our Gospel passage depicts Jesus as the King who reigns over, before whom we shall be judged at the end of the world. Let us not consider some lessons contained in today’s readings.
1. Entrust Your Worries unto Jesus
One strong message in our first reading and our responsorial psalm today is the need to deepen our trust in Jesus Christ. There is nothing that we face in this life that escapes His watchful eye. Even in the sight of our foes, He prepares a table before us, and when we walk through the valley of darkness, He is there beside us, guiding and guarding us. He fights our battles for us and comes to our rescue when no one is there to help us.
Too often, we carry unnecessary burdens because we don’t consider Jesus our shepherd. In John’s Gospel, Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28). And if you understand that Jesus is a king who rules as a shepherd, why do you live with so many worries? Why do you have sleepless nights?
2. Become an Active Sheep of Jesus
Recently, the world witnessed the coronation of King Charles as King of England. However, while thousands trooped to line the streets to catch a glimpse of the new king, some persons protested, holding placards which read: “Not My King.” In other words, even though they were British Citizens, they openly declared their lack of support for the monarch. Like these protesters, many Christians, by their way of life, openly declare that Jesus is not their king.
If you believe Jesus is your king, why are you refusing to pay allegiance to him? Before you can recite today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 23), ask yourself, am I behaving like one of the sheep of Jesus Christ? Do I listen to His voice and obey them? Do I follow Jesus’ footsteps as sheep follow their shepherds?
3. Follow the Example of Jesus
Apart from living as sheep of Jesus, we are called to replicate Jesus’ leadership style. And by so doing, we extend Jesus’ reign to those who have never heard about Jesus. Rather than lord it over those we govern, let us be like Jesus who “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8).
The essence of leadership is the sacrifice for one’s sheep. Unfortunately, leadership (politics) is the most lucrative business in this part of the world. Our politicians have mastered “grabbing it, snatching it, and running with it.” Both INEC and the Judiciary have been grabbed, snatched and reduced to agents of one political party. Once they get into positions of power, they forget they are public servants. They are not so concerned about the welfare of the people but the welfare of their pockets.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul describes how death came to all men through the disobedience of the first man, Adam. Being the first man to be created, Adam was a leader because he was a pace-setter. As a leader, your actions and inactions greatly affect millions of people. If you steal money meant for building roads, hospitals, schools, etc., millions will die, and their blood will be on your head. As a leader, you can either bring death like Adam or bring life like Jesus Christ.
Do you exercise power in any form? Remember that there is a reward for being a servant-leader. There is a reward for sacrificing for your sheep. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11).
4. Recognise Jesus in the Poor and Needy
Recently, while walking to celebrate morning mass in a nearby school, I noticed a woman sitting on the street begging. There was a great stench emanating from her. Perhaps one of her legs was rotten. Even though I had my wallet on me, I didn’t feel like giving her anything, but I looked at her and greeted her: “Good morning, ma.” She was shocked that someone could even greet her. She didn’t respond a word. The next moment, I heard her laughing seriously. I pretended not to notice it while walking away, but underneath the laughter, I felt she was saying: “Am I going to feed on greeting?” When I got to the Chapel for mass, I felt guilty for not giving her anything. It dawned on me that I was not different from the priest in the parable of the Good Samaritan. I resolved to give her money when I passed that way next time, but I never saw her again. That same day, I spent money on something that could have been avoided (I paid a fine for a traffic violation), and I regretted not giving this money to that woman. I still remember her laughter.
The song: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers” was composed based on our Gospel passage today. It is a song that teaches us to see Jesus in the least of human beings around us: those unimportant to us, persons who would never make the list of our guests, persons so low in the social cadre that we would hardly consider them as humans.
We live in a society full of scammers such that one finds it very difficult to tell the difference between those genuinely in need and those faking it. Sometimes, you wonder if you are even doing the right thing by giving a helping hand: “Am I not encouraging laziness? What if, after giving, this person turns me into their ATM? Can I still help in this harsh economy?” Each time you stand with a needy person, there will always be a million reasons for holding back your help, but if you can see Jesus in the person (even if they are scammers), you will find a way to help them. We cannot escape judgment; we shall be put on the right or left that day.
Conclusion: Worship Jesus by Your Life
If you consider Jesus your King, live as His subject; follow His instructions with a childlike trust. He died for you, and there is no limit to what He will do for your good. Stop putting your hope in human beings. Commit your worries to Jesus and let Him handle the rest. Treat everyone you meet as you wish to be treated. Whether or not they are fake, help them for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may I eventually be among your sheep and put on your right side in heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Christ the King. Bible Study: Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17, Ps. 23:1-3a,5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,28, Matthew 25:31-46).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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