"KING OF KINGS : JESUS CHRIST"
First Reading: Ezekiel 39: 11-12, 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26,28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25: 31-45
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. In this passage Prophet Ezekiel portrays God not as a judge of His people but as someone who cares for the people. He is compared to a shepherd who takes care of His sheep- even the least and the lost ones- and watches over them day and night.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul explains to the Corinthian community about the resurrection of Christ. He assures them and us that Christ is the conqueror of every authority and power in the world. At the end of time, He will hand over the Kingdom to the Father after destroying the last enemy that is death. He also says that Christ's resurrection is the proof and guarantee of our own resurrection from the dead.
"Christ the King of the Universe"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew, Chapter 25. The last judgement scene is described in detail. At the last judgement , Jesus will come as a judge and separate the good and evil. The King will tell those on his right - those who are blessed- 'as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it me'. Those admitted to His Kingdom are not people who have done anything spectacular in the eyes of the world. The requirement to be part of the Kingdom is very simple and does not go beyond the capacity of any ordinary person. The actions are simple responses to the human needs. For Christ, simple human graciousness and charity are ground enough to be welcomed into the fullness of the Kingdom. Jesus looks upon every kindness done to a person in need however lowly as a kindness done to Himself.
Those who are excluded from His Kingdom - those cursed- have brought doom upon themselves because they failed to respond to simple human needs. They are condemned eternally not because of any violent crimes but because of their failure to act on the human needs of those in need. Hence, if we want to honour our King, we must do something to the least of His brothers and sisters in need.
"The biggest disease in the world today is not leprosy, TB or Aids but the feeling of being unwanted and uncared for. The greatest evil in the world is lack of love, the terrible indifference towards one's neighbour. What the poor need even more than food, clothes and shelter is to be wanted" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
First Reading: Ezekiel 39: 11-12, 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26,28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25: 31-45
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. In this passage Prophet Ezekiel portrays God not as a judge of His people but as someone who cares for the people. He is compared to a shepherd who takes care of His sheep- even the least and the lost ones- and watches over them day and night.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul explains to the Corinthian community about the resurrection of Christ. He assures them and us that Christ is the conqueror of every authority and power in the world. At the end of time, He will hand over the Kingdom to the Father after destroying the last enemy that is death. He also says that Christ's resurrection is the proof and guarantee of our own resurrection from the dead.
"Christ the King of the Universe"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew, Chapter 25. The last judgement scene is described in detail. At the last judgement , Jesus will come as a judge and separate the good and evil. The King will tell those on his right - those who are blessed- 'as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it me'. Those admitted to His Kingdom are not people who have done anything spectacular in the eyes of the world. The requirement to be part of the Kingdom is very simple and does not go beyond the capacity of any ordinary person. The actions are simple responses to the human needs. For Christ, simple human graciousness and charity are ground enough to be welcomed into the fullness of the Kingdom. Jesus looks upon every kindness done to a person in need however lowly as a kindness done to Himself.
Those who are excluded from His Kingdom - those cursed- have brought doom upon themselves because they failed to respond to simple human needs. They are condemned eternally not because of any violent crimes but because of their failure to act on the human needs of those in need. Hence, if we want to honour our King, we must do something to the least of His brothers and sisters in need.
"The biggest disease in the world today is not leprosy, TB or Aids but the feeling of being unwanted and uncared for. The greatest evil in the world is lack of love, the terrible indifference towards one's neighbour. What the poor need even more than food, clothes and shelter is to be wanted" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
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