Reflection for November 26, 2023

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (A)

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 | Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 | 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 | Matthew 25:31-46

​The readings on this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, gives us the true image of a leader, guides us towards the promise of resurrection, and encourages us to live a life of humble service to others.

​Dr. Mitchell, a cardio thoracic surgeon, heard about a human heart tissue bank which would enable her to get a new heart for one of her patients. She went to the heart tissue bank and asked the tissue donor coordinator what was in stock. "Well," the coordinator said, "Here is an excellent option: a brave and determined lawyer's heart tissue. This heart gave much needed hope to those oppressed by legal injustice. It is for ₱5000 per ounce of tissue." "What else?" Dr. Mitchell asked. The coordinator told her, "Another best option is this priest's heart tissue. Full of humility and compassion, it prayed for the poor sinners and fed those who live in poverty and hunger. It is ₱6000 an ounce." "Is that all you have?" "No," the coordinator said. "Here is a teacher's heart tissue. Packed full of care and dedication, it taught essential values and competencies to public school students. It is ₱7000 an ounce." "I don't know," Dr. Mitchell said. "Don't you have anything else?" The coordinator then motioned for Dr. Mitchell to step over to a covered container. "This," he said in calm and still whisper "is a congressman's heart tissue. It costs ₱250,000 an ounce." "Wow!" exclaimed Dr. Mitchell. "Why so expensive?" "In the first place," the coordinator told her, "It is hardly used. As the second consideration, do you realize how many congressmen you need to get an ounce of a heart?"

We can learn from our first reading that God does not tolerate the suffering of his people because of poor leadership. During the Babylonian Exile (586 BCE), Ezekiel criticizes harshly the leaders of the chosen people because they are failing to serve the poor and the weak, the vulnerable. They're taking care of themselves and letting the people drift away. Because of corrupt, incompetent and neglectful leaders, God's people wander about without direction, live in chaos, are defenseless, and prone to danger. Ezekiel promises them that God will do something about it. God himself will look after and tend his sheep. The lost he will seek out. He himself will give rest to the flock.

As a young priest, Fr. Lloyd was suddenly called upon to deliver a funeral homily, he combed through the Four Gospels trying to find one of Christ’s funeral sermons, but searched in vain. He found that Christ broke up every funeral He ever attended. Death could not exist where He was. When the dead heard His voice, they sprang to life.

In the second reading, the apostle Paul reassures the faithful in Corinth about resurrection and the final union with God and Christ which awaits them in the future. He presents Christ as the all-powerful ruler-king who raises the dead and to whom every form of power and authority must eventually give way. In other words, the mission of the Christ as King is two fold: to give us eternal life by raising us from death, thus undoing the primary consequence of the first Adam’s sin, and to subject all cosmic powers to himself, and then to God his Father.

Learning of a poor Hindu family in Calcutta who had been starving for many days, Saint Teresa of Calcutta visited them and brought a big parcel of rice to the mother. She was surprised to see how the mother divided the rice into two equal portions and went out with one bundle to give it to her Moslem neighbor. When she returned, The Saint of the Slums asked her why she had done such a generous deed. The woman replied: “My family can manage with half the rice in this bag. My neighbor’s family has several children and they are also starving."   

Today's discussion in the Gospel of Matthew about the end times portrays the final judgment using the imagery of a king-shepherd separating the good and bad animals in his flock. God will judge everyone, and the criteria for this judgment are quite striking — they revolve around simple acts of love and kindness shown to the "little ones" in the world. The sheep are those who tended to the sick, the hungry, and those in prison, while the goats neglected those in need. Jesus encourages Christians, even with limited resources, to reflect on what they can share with those identified in today's parable. Reaching out to the needy is akin to touching Jesus himself, while neglecting them is neglecting the needs of Christ. The Feast of Christ the King, celebrated today, imparts a lesson on power in the form of humility. In God's eyes, greatness is revealed through humble service. Catholicism isn't about Jesus as a personal Lord and savior. The Catholic Faith is about Jesus, me, and others. Ultimately, our worth will be measured by the extent of our love for others. Serving others becomes the most profound way to express our love for the unseen God. Prioritizing the well-being of others over our own interests is the epitome of love. In decision-making situations, one can ask, "What requires the most love?" and consistently choose that path. Whether it's making donations, helping a homeless person, or volunteering at church, the guiding principle is to choose actions that demand the utmost love and selflessness. In conclusion, as we strive for humble service, let's draw inspiration from Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who wisely stated, "Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile."

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