Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

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YEAR A

Ezek 34,11-12.15-17; 1 Cor 15,20-26.28; Mt 25,31-46

Account rending & Final Countdown 

Christ, King of the Universe. Today, Feast of Christ the King, marks the closing Sunday of the Church’s Liturgical Year. In itself, it is not an ancient Celebration. It was instituted only in 1925, by Pope Pius XI, to affirm Christ’s sovereignty against the pressing forces of Atheism and Materialism. This celebration was motivated by political preoccupations, and its main prayer asked ‘that the family of Nations, shattered by the wound of sin, will submit to Christ’s sweet empire’ (Old collect). However, the Liturgical Reform of 1970, reassessed the concept of Christ King of the Universe and widened its perspective along the well known text of St Paul to the Colossians: 1,12-20. Now the new Collect prays that: ‘every creature, freed from the slavery of sin, may serve and praise God forever’. And besides the existing texts, seven new readings were added to fit the 3 year cycle: Year A, presents Christ as Eternal Shepherds and Judge of all; Year B, develops the title of Christ as Messiah-King; and Year C stresses that Christ, even in his degradation on the Cross, is indeed King of Kings and has power of taking us unto God’s glory.

It is fitting that we celebrate Christ as King of the Universe on the last Sunday of the Church’s year, but when we really about, the lofty Icon of Christ whose love is beyond all understanding, belongs to every celebration. Christ is indeed Risen Lord - King of the Universe - lover of each living creature - abiding Guest of our hearts. Its celebration cannot be restricted to one Sunday in the year. The truth is that every Sunday is ‘the Day of the Lord, -‘Dominica’-, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord - Risen Lord - King of Glory.

Underpinning subtle irony. Today we read one of the most inspiring pages of Christian Literature. After a story of account rending: ‘Well done good & faithful servant... enter the joy of your Lord!’, we are given the Final Vision of history: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, take possession of the Kingdom...’ Far from wishing to scare us, Matthew intends to give us energy, conviction and a desire to live a life for others; to alleviate suffering of every kind, knowing that ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers & sisters, you do it to me’. Matthew wants us to realize that the more we do out of love, the more capable of love we become; just as the less we do out of love and the less capable of love we are left, as indeed we find out in our day to day struggle against stress, depression and inability to cope with disabilities. Of the 3 stories of Chapter 25, today’s story provides the final answers. In fact there is a subtle irony running through the whole chapter. It’s as if Matthew urges us to be ready for surprises, since the uncanny and the unexpected is indeed present everywhere. That puppet king who died a shameful death on a cross, mocked and derided by all, is indeed the King of Glory, the Messiah-King who now sits on God’s throne of Glory... But then again this Christ-King is not -as one would expect- a figure of righteousness and vindication, neither is his Kingdom an empire which crushes all arrogant enemies. Christ is a figure of wonder and glory; yet he associates with poor and lowly people: he wants to be found in ‘the little ones’; he lives in them and identifies with them. It was God’s plan from the beginning, that God though he was, Christ took the condition of a slave and lived in poverty. On the Final Count down, some who appear to be pillars of the Church, and claim to be perfect disciples will be excluded, while others who seem to be even out of the Church will be chosen... Lesson: Live in a way that you see through the eyes of Christ and love with his heart.

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