The Solemnity of Christ the King
Scriptures: Ez. 34:11-12, 15-17; Ps. 23:1-3, 5-6; 1 Cor. 15:20-26, 28; Mt. 25:31-46
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the liturgical year and from next Sunday, we shall enter into the next liturgical year, beginning with the Advent season. The liturgy of the solemnity of Christ the King is designed to reinforce that Jesus is the unique king. He is a shepherd king who serves and suffers in silence for his sheep. He is the promised one about whom the whole Old Testament spoke about. He will come again to judge us in fairness and equity. We need to be worthy to meet him.
The first reading from the book of Ezekiel makes a messianic prophecy about God himself will come down to look after the sheep. Prophet Ezekiel looks at the kings of Judah who ruled in the pre-exilic period. They were self-centred and only looked after themselves. They were told to look after the people (sheep) but they failed in their duties. As a result, the sheep were scattered and were devoured by the enemies.
God, who had ruled the lives of the Israelites all through their existence, was unhappy when they had demanded a king. He had told them, “The king will reign over them; he will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots, they will run in front of his chariots. He will take the best of their fields. You will become his slaves. The day will come, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day.” (cfr. 1 Samuel 8:11-18).
The prophecy of Samuel had come true when the kings of Israel had failed in their responsibilities to take care of their flock. The Lord himself decided to come down. He will view all the flock. He will be standing in the middle of his scattered. He will rescue the scattered sheep who was lost in mist and darkness. He will lead them to green pastures. He will guide to a restful place. He will seek the lost ones, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. What a consoling imagery! King David was a shepherd originally. He had perfected his role as a king in the lives of the Israelites. The people of Israel believed that the promise of the messiah would be a true shepherd of Israel. He would be the son of David.
Psalm 21 also gives the same connotations of God being the true shepherd of his flock. The responsorial psalm re-emphasizes the role of a shepherd. God, the Good Shepherd takes his flock to the fresh and green pastures. He takes them to the restful waters. He guides them to the right path. He prepares a banquet for them. It is a perfect response to the first reading.
The first reading and the psalm helps us to see Jesus as the true shepherd king. We have reflected all through the ordinary time of the liturgical year in the light of the Gospel according to Mathew. Jesus went about doing good. He came down from his throne in heaven to become Man. He stood in the middle to bring the strayed ones. He nursed the wounded. He cured the sick. He forgave the sinners. He suffered and died for his sheep. Today’s first reading and the psalm helps to see Jesus in totality. It helps us to see him how Jesus laboured to bring us back to His Father. We had lost our way and our destiny. We are safe now in his bosom.
The second reading gives us the most important lesson to believe in Jesus as the true shepherd. St. Paul deals with the people of Corinthians who had gnostic ideas. They believed in Greek philosophy. They thought that once they die, they will be liberated and would return to eternal happiness. They were not able to understand the effects of the resurrection of Jesus. they were not able to understand the promise of Jesus who would raise those who believe in Him. They were not able to grasp the kingship of Jesus who has conquered suffering and death, the most dreaded enemy of human beings. St. Paul explained to them God has raised Jesus from the dead. He will raise us also. He will lead us to eternal happiness. There is no power in the world that has not been submitted to Jesus’ kingship. Thus, even the suffering and death have submitted themselves to Christ’s kingship.
The Solemnity of Christ the King invites us to honour this kingship of Jesus. He is a shepherd-king. He came down from heaven to serve us. He laid down His life for us. He established His kingdom on earth. He will come again to judge. This is our firm belief. We will spend the next couple of weeks on this belief.
The heart of Jesus wants His followers with him in his kingdom. (Jn 17:24) He shows us the road map to enter into his kingdom. Today’s Gospel gives us six corporal works of mercy. Reaching out to those who were hungry, thirsty, stranger, necked, sick and in prison means reaching out to Jesus himself. Thus, making ourselves sure that we are with our shepherd-king. Jesus re-emphasizes the commandment of “love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn. 13:34) as a guide to enter into His kingdom. It is the sole criterion to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The solemnity of Christ the king is a reminder that we belong to Christ, the good shepherd. He wants us to be with him in his kingdom. Let us do everything to be with him till He comes again.
