Christ The King
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Cycle A
- A190: We have had too much experience with Kings who restrict our liberties and our freedom. Is this what happens if we accept Christ as our King?
- Q346: Sheep and goats and kings and naked people… is there somehow a connection in these readings with the theme of “Christ the King”?
- Q503: The people condemned in today’s Gospel seem to be very surprised at the way they are condemned at the Last Judgment. Why is this?
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A190: We have had too much experience with Kings who restrict our liberties and our freedom. Is this what happens if we accept Christ as our King?
Today's Gospel story (Matt 25:31-46) shows Christ the King sitting on the throne of judgment, separating the "sheep" from the "goats." Everyone there had sworn allegiance to this King, Jesus Christ. Even so, they were all surprised! Their big surprise was that this king – the one they had all sworn allegiance to – had been present in every person they had ever met, especially in the needy ones and the least important ones! We sing this refrain occasionally at our liturgies: "Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me." That is one refrain we need to bring to mind at the start of every single day of our lives.
Does it mean a restricted life to accept Christ? When we accept Christ as our King, we have found "the Way, the Truth and the Life." We have found true freedom, a freedom that comes with being what we are each called to be: the light of the world. That light comes to us only from Christ the King. "Being" the light of the world means showing others what the kingship of Christ means, and the freedom from sin and darkness that comes with accepting his Kingship. His "commandments" are simply calls to Love, and each one sets us free to live out and defend a specific virtue (such as life, fidelity, trust, gratitude, generosity, holiness, faith, etc.). So the "restricted life" is one we voluntarily accept, i.e., the avoidance of sin and especially the "occasions" of sin (those things that incite or entice us to sin).
Know Your Catechism! Being "set free" by Christ through his "love commands" means we are imbued with a Christian spirit that guides us to our ultimate goal, happiness with God (see CCC #2105, 1718). This participation in Christ's kingly office through our Baptism is a royal gift (CCC #908). However, we are all aware that this Kingship we have is exercised only through service to others, especially the poor and marginalized (CCC# 786, 783). Which group before the judgment seat will you be in, because of your actions or inaction in helping the poor: the sheep or the goats?
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Q346: Sheep and goats and kings and naked people… is there somehow a connection in these readings with the theme of “Christ the King”?
One word jumps out at us from today’s readings, an “implied” word based on the context of each reading. That word is judgment. Ezekiel had reminded the people of their long history of sinfulness and infidelity to God’s covenant; now there was no more ‘wiggle room’ – it was now time for judgment. The leadership and stewardship, as well as the acquiescence of the people in violating God’s law, was a matter of record. Now it was too late to change: judgment was upon them.
In the pastoral or agricultural society of ancient Israel, the word “Shepherd” had very special significance regarding the King and his relationship to the people. The main role of a king in that culture was to shepherd and safeguard the people. But because of the bad leadership (both throne and temple), God himself would have to take over the task of shepherding the people. Chapter 34 of Ezekiel is all about the abundant life that awaits the faithful from this shepherd. And we all know that this promise [Ezek 34:11-17] and prophecy of abundant life was fulfilled only in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
St. Paul’s message to the Corinthians [1 Cor 15:20-28] speaks about Christ, the King of Kings who will turn over his kingdom to the Father on judgment day. And of course, the Gospel [Matt 25:31-46] is very forthright about the way the true Shepherd, the Son of Man, will himself separate the faithful ones from those unfaithful to God’s ways of justice and mercy on that inevitable day of judgment.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! What is your own relationship to the “naked people,” the hungry, the immigrant, the prisoner? We cannot have eternal life unless we freely choose to love God and neighbor (CCC #1033). With our “daily bread” goes the responsibility of stewardship (CCC #2831). We, the People of God are a “sheepfold” and must respond to the true Shepherd (CCC #754), the One who gave His life for His sheep.
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Q503: The people condemned in today’s Gospel seem to be very surprised at the way they are condemned at the Last Judgment. Why is this?
The usually irreverent Mark Twain once said, “Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand” [source: Barbara Schmidt website of Quotations]. I suspect that it was a segment like today’s Gospel [Matt 25:31-46] that became a “rare” occasion when the Bible had meaning for him. Can we agree that it is very hard to Misunderstand today’s lesson of Jesus about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and other works of mercy? I think that like Mark Twain, we ought to be very concerned about our own behavior, relative to today’s lesson.
The “Goats” in the story, by implication, had done all the “pious” things that they thought would earn them their heavenly reward. They went to Mass every day. They said a daily Rosary. They never forgot to say their daily prayers. And they did their best to avoid contact with sin and sinners. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, something very important is missing.
The “Goats” had neglected to do something that the “Sheep” had already done. The “Goats” had acted well in “avoiding” sin and sinners; but they had done nothing in the area of works of mercy. Jesus is crystal clear about our responsibilities as his disciple. We are to actively participate in the mission of Jesus, reaching out to those in need. This is particularly true regarding those we encounter; but it also applies to those we do not encounter. In other words, you can help the poor in other locations by giving to Catholic Charities, or some other worthy charitable group who has access to the “really” poor and needy.
The readings at the end of each Church cycle are all about the End Times. Let them send a warning shiver up your spine, like Mark Twain may have experienced. Don’t get caught being unprepared! You know what is expected of you; do it!
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The “goats” will not enjoy eternal life in heaven (CCC #1038). Did you ever consider the truth that the term “evil doer” includes the “non-doer” of works of mercy (CCC #1034)?
