Gospel: Solemnity of Christ the King

Today marks the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and the Gospel reading will be lifted from the narrative of St Matthew (tap here for the complete Mass readings from USCCB).

Today's Gospel passage is the conclusion of Jesus's discourse with his disciples. It is about the end of time, the coming of the Son of Man, and the final judgment. We hear this description of the final judgment at the conclusion of our liturgical year. In the context of St Matthew's Gospel, this passage might also be read as a conclusion of St Matthew's report on Jesus's life and ministry; the remaining chapters report the events of Jesus's Passion and Resurrection.

In today's Gospel, Jesus describes to his disciples the scene of the judgment of the Son of Man. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them as a shepherd separated the sheep from the goats upon their return from the pasture. The judgments made by the Son of Man will be based upon the acts of mercy shown to the least ones -- the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned; indeed, Jesus, who suffered on the Cross, identifies himself with the least ones.

Recall that in last week's parable of the talents taught us that the gifts we have been given are intended to be used for the service of others, especially the least fortunate among us. Our judgment before God will be based not only on how we have used these gifts and talents, but also on how we have extended ourselves in service to these least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us that whenever we have served these least ones, we have served Christ himself.

When we read today's Gospel in the context of the chapters that follow in St Matthew's account, we learn the extent to which Jesus identifies with the least ones. In accepting the death on the cross, Jesus shows himself to be one of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. To accept Jesus is to accept him who suffered and died on the Cross just like the ordeal of the least fortunate ones.

On the last Sunday of the conclusion of the litergical year, the Church celebrates Christ the King. Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas primas ("In the first") to respond to growing secularism and atheism.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, have mercy on us.

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