Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather on this solemn day to celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, our hearts are drawn to the profound imagery presented to us in the Scriptures. The readings today paint a majestic portrait of our Shepherd-King, whose reign transcends time and encompasses all of creation.
In the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, we encounter a God who personally tends to His sheep. “I myself will look after and tend my sheep,” declares the Lord. In a world filled with darkness and confusion, the Lord promises to rescue us, to seek out the lost, bind up the injured, and heal the sick. This image of a caring shepherd, guiding his flock through cloudy and dark times, is a comforting reminder of God’s intimate involvement in our lives.
Furthermore, the Lord distinguishes between the sleek and strong, whom He will destroy, and those whom He will shepherd rightly. This evokes a powerful truth about the nature of God’s justice. It is not the powerful and self-sufficient who will receive His favor, but those who recognize their need for His guidance and mercy.
In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus, the Son of Man, reveals Himself as the ultimate Shepherd-King. The scene is set on the day of judgment, with the Son of Man coming in glory, surrounded by angels, to judge all nations. This imagery echoes the words of Ezekiel, reinforcing the theme of Christ as the Shepherd who will separate the sheep from the goats.
The criteria for judgment are clear – acts of mercy and love. The righteous, not even aware of their virtuous deeds, are commended for feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. Astonishingly, their acts of kindness are seen as direct service to the King himself.
Conversely, those on the left, the goats, are condemned for their neglect of the needy. The King’s words, “Whatever you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me,” reverberate with a profound truth. Our response to those in need is a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ. The King identifies Himself with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. To ignore them is to ignore Christ Himself.
The second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians expands our understanding of Christ’s kingship. Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of a greater harvest, a promise that all will be brought to life. His reign extends until every enemy, including death itself, is under His feet. Ultimately, Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father so that God may be all in all. This cosmic perspective invites us to contemplate the transformative power of Christ’s love that not only redeems individuals but the entire creation.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we are responding to the call of our Shepherd-King. Are we actively engaging in acts of mercy and love, recognizing the presence of Christ in the marginalized and suffering? The call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned is a call to imitate our Shepherd-King in our daily lives.
On this solemn feast, let us recommit ourselves to living out the Gospel values of compassion and justice. May we recognize Christ in our midst, especially in those who are most in need, and respond with hearts full of love. In doing so, we participate in the kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and anticipate the day when we will hear those words, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”