THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE: JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
First Reading: Ezekiel 39: 11-12 and 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26 and 28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25: 31-45
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel portrays God not as a judge of His chosen 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. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth about the resurrection of Christ. He assures the community and us that Christ is the conqueror of every authority and power in the world. At the end of times He will handover the kingdom to the Heavenly Father after destroying the last enemy that is death. He also assures us that Christ's resurrection is the proof and the guarantee of our own resurrection from the dead.
Christ the universal King Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The last judgement scene is described in detail. On judgement day Jesus will come as a judge and separate the good and the evil. The King and the judge will tell those on his righthand -those who are blessed - as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters you did it to me. Those admitted to His kingdom are not people who have done anything spectacular in the eyes of the world. The requirements to be part of the kingdom of Christ is very simple and does not go beyond the capacity of any ordinary person. For Christ, simple human graciousness and charity are ground enough to be welcome 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 the poor and the needy. Hence if we want to honour our King, we must do something for 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.
*From First Sunday of Advent "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph SVD is available on YouTube. Kindly Subscribe to it. Thanks.
First Sunday of Advent 1B ;
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