LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

XXXIV SUNDAY: CHRIST THE KING - Matthew 25:31-46

In this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate Christ the King. Human language is the only means we may use to speak of divine matters. And there is always the danger of transmitting the wrong meaning. Indeed, while here on earth, Jesus refused the title of king and went into hiding when people tried to make him a king. To Pilate, Jesus made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world. His kingdom subjects are those who are in search of the truth. Jesus refused to be king in the manner of human kings, like Herodes or the Roman emperors. He came to set us free, not to overwhelm us with his power, treating us like slaves.

The second reading, taken from 1 Corinthians, gives the meaning of Jesus' kingship. He will dissipate darkness and destroy all the enemies, which spread hatred and bring death. Christ will bring everything to fulfilment so that the glory of God becomes present in everything. "And when everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subject in his turn to the One who subjected all things to him, so that God may be all in all." (1 Co 15:28).

The gospel, taken from Matthew 25, presents the third parable of that chapter. All three parables - the virgins, the talents and the last judgement - have a common theme: we will be called to account. Not all find the door open to enter the Kingdom of God. There is the possibility of being excluded. The parable of the virgins puts the stress on the preparation needed to welcome the bridegroom, that is the Christ. All must have enough oil - the oil of faith, hope and love - to keep their lamps burning. The parable of the talents puts the stress on our contribution. God takes the initiative and entrusts his gifts to us, which we must put to good use. In the last parable, Jesus presents the rule by which we will be judged. All those who acted as the good Samaritan (Lk 10:25ff) will enter into the kingdom to share in Christ’s glory. The ones who didn’t do so will be excluded. Jesus will not ask if we were Christians or not. That does not matter. The true Christians are those who acted with compassion, mercy and love towards their fellow human beings, even if they did not know Jesus Christ. We will be judged by the commandment of love. Since God is love, then only love matters.