Words of Spirit and Life

Theme: THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST AS KING OF THE UNIVERSE

• Ezekiel 34:11-12. 15-17;
• Psalm 22 (23): 1-3. 5-6. R/ v. 1;
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-26. 28
• Matthew 25:31-46

1. Today is the 34^th Sunday of the Liturgical Year A, or the Last Sunday of the Year A. Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. We celebrate the feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the Year, because we believe that at the end of time, Jesus Christ will come a second time as King of the universe!

    The gospel today tells us of the second coming of Jesus Christ as King of the universe! The gospel today tells us that in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the hungry will be fed, the thirsty will be given drink, the stranger will be welcomed, the naked will be clothed, the sick and those in prison will be visited! Thus we read in the gospel today:

    “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” (Mt 25:35-36)

2. The first reading follows the theme of the gospel. The first reading tells us that the shepherd-king Jesus Christ will rescue the scattered sheep. He will pasture the sheep, he will give them rest, he will look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. Thus we read in the first reading:

    “I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong.” (Ezk 34:12. 15-16.)

    The first reading is an outline of the good shepherd found in John 10:11-18! Thus we read in John 10:14-15:

    “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep.” (NJB)

3. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm also tells us that the shepherd-king will give food and drink to the sheep. He will also lead the sheep. Thus we read in the first part of the responsorial psalm:

    “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.” (Ps 22 (23): 1-3)

    The second part of the responsorial psalm is on the host of a banquet. It follows the first part of the responsorial psalm. It tells us that the host of the banquet will provide food and drink to the guests. Thus we read in the second part of the responsorial psalm:

    “You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.” (Ps 22 (23): 5-6)

    Thus the response of the responsorial psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps 22 (23): 1)

4. Finally, the second reading tells us that Jesus Christ will come a second time as king of the universe! He will destroy death forever. The dead shall rise to a new life and he will hand over his kingdom to God the Father so that God may be all in all! Thus we read in the second reading:

    “Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ; but all of them in their proper order: Christ as the first-fruits and then, after the coming of Christ, those who belong to him. After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death. 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: 22-26. 28)      

5. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us build the kingdom of God here on earth until the second coming of Jesus Christ as King of the Universe! Amen