The Gospel this Sunday brings the Church’s year to a grand climax with one of the finest scenes in the Gospels.  We hear how the Son of Man comes in all his glory to sit on his throne and then those who are righteous will follow him into eternal life. Yet as is strongly emphasised in the Bible, the king must be first of all a shepherd, as we hear in the short reading this Sunday from the prophet Ezekiel.  

The feast of Christ the King is recent and became the last Sunday of the Year only after the Council.  Its role is best seen as an anticipation and proclamation of future glory because our journey in this world continues.  That continuity is more evident in the other two years of the Sunday cycle where the Gospel for the 34^thSunday and the 1^st Sunday in Advent are both taken from Jesus’ final discourse to the disciples.

Matthew though has extended this final discourse which as in Mark, takes place on the Mount of Olives where the Messiah was expected to come. Matthew adds three parables before the scene which is this Sunday’s Gospel.  This scene is not a parable, there is no “like” as in parables.  The mention of sheep and goats is just a brief analogy at the beginning.  Coming at the end of Jesus’ public ministry we are given a presentation of the end of time. The Gospel story then goes straight back to immediate reality as the story of the Passion follows.

The scene is a gathering of “all the nations”.  That phrase comes again right at the end of the Gospel when the risen Jesus commissions the disciples “to make disciples of all nations”.  Here we are shown the results of becoming disciples by our living of the Gospel story with all the teachings of Jesus up to this point, the end of his ministry. This is the life of the Beatitudes, the key to all Jesus’ teachings, indicating the way we have to live as righteous in the kingdom of God.  Traditionally the scene is known as the Judgement of Nations.  We can instead read this as the moment of sentencing with a focus on those who have shown themselves righteous.  Having reached this stage of the Gospel we will know just how well we have been living as righteous disciples, just how well we are reaching out to all those in need.  Note how vague is the description of those who are on the left side.  They are present as a warning to us not to follow their example.

Hearing this scene as a sentencing rather than judging changes the focus.  It is now a great scene of hope as we look to the end of time at the end of the year. Christ the king will return in all his glory and bring the righteous to eternal life.

We believe inthe resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.

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What comes to your mind when you think of a king or queen? Do you think of someone who wears a bejewelled crown? Someone who seats on a golden throne? Someone who wears lavish garbs? Someone with extravagant titles and positions? Someone who lives in a palatial residence? It is easy to have this image of monarchs especially from what we see of on the television and in movies.  It is easy to get caught up with all the trappings and externals of a king or queen. However, today’s solemnity gives us a true focus on kingship, for it is celebrating Jesus, being the first fruits of the resurrection, as a caring shepherd and a just judge of all the nations. The Preface, which is the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer expresses thanksgiving of the whole people of God, glorying God and giving thanks for the whole work of salvation, and a particular element of our faith. The preface for today’s gives us insight of what the Kingdom of God that Jesus ushered in – 

• “eternal and universal kingdom” – the reign of God is forever, and it embraces all cultures, societies, and peoples.
• “a kingdom of truth and life” – the reign of God gives us meaning and understanding in our lives and thus gives us a purpose and fullness of life.
• “a kingdom of holiness ad grace”- in living according to the life and principles of Jesus, we live authentically human lives in ‘wholeness’.
• “a  kingdom of justice, love, and peace” – in living an authentic life, we live out the justice (fairness and equality) love (deep concern for the wellbeing of others) and peace (concord and reconciliation).

These are all values of the Kingdom of God which Jesus established. As Catholic Christians, it is our duty and responsibility to live out these values in our day-to-day life. 

Scripture Commentary

1^st Reading – God promises to act as a good shepherd who searches for the lost, and brings healing to the sick.

2^nd Reading – Paul explains that Christ has conquered death through his resurrection and will eventually subject all things to God.

Gospel – Jesus describes the final judgment, where the King separates the nations like a shepherd splits sheep from goats, judging people based on how they treated the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned.

Prayer of the Faithful 

For the Church – 

that it may be a true servant to humanity and a sign of hope and salvation for everyone. 

For the world – 

that the Lord God, shepherd of all the peoples of earth, may gather into unity those scattered by injustice and hatred.

For our parish community – 

that we may be welcoming community, where the last are the first and the least are greatest, a kingdom where authority is service and fulfillment of the law is love. 

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The hymns suggested are from Laudate (L) and the Celebration Hymnal for Everyone (CFE):

Crown him with many crowns (CFE139, L321)

Hail Redeemer, king divine (CFE239, L320)

Now the green blade riseth (CFE513, L238)

Servant Song (CFE813, L924)

At the name of Jesus (CFE59, L762)