Solemnity of Christ the King (Mt 25:31-46)

King with a Difference

Introduction

- Today is the end of liturgical year, with the celebration of Christ the King. The journey through the liturgical year covers all the important mysteries of the redemption, starting from advent and ending with the second coming of Jesus as King and Judge.

- It was very solemnly celebrated in olden days with processions and lots of other celebrations but nowadays its popularity is diminishing. It may be because of the over influence of preparation for Christmas or lack of understanding of the concept “King” in the present times since there are no more kings that rule the nation. Any way it is a very important feast to be celebrated.

- Let us look into the uniqueness of Jesus, The King.

Content

- A King whose friends are poor

o Usually the kings are accompanied by the noble and rich men of the country. But Jesus was always with the poor and who were in search of their basic needs.

o Usually the noble and rich do the recommendation for the ordinary people in front of the king or rulers. In the case of Christ the King, the poor does the recommendation. “God hears the cry of the poor and rescue them” (Ps 34:17), (Lk 1:46-55).

o God destroys the proud and self righteous (Lk 1:46-55).

- A King who walks in front

o Usually the place of the king in a battle is at the back. First he would let the ordinary soldiers wage war and “die”. But in the case of Jesus He always stands at the front in the war against evil and to protect his people. In the Garden of Gethsemane when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, he told the disciples to go and be safe. He was all alone to fight the battle against the evil and he won the battle for us through the resurrection.

o Whenever we feel that our way of life is blocked by some hindrance (anxiety, fear, problems of life, etc.) let us pray to Jesus, our King who walks ahead of us and removes the blocks from our way.

- A Servant King

o Usually the servants wash the hands and feet of the King. But in the case of Jesus He washed the feet of the apostles. He showed us a model of service to follow. How can we serve our brothers and sisters? The answer is clearly given in today’s gospel. The ways to serve are; (seven corporal works of mercy)

1. Feeding the hungry

2. Giving drink to the thirsty

3. Clothing the naked

4. Sheltering the homeless

5. Visiting those in prison

6. Taking care of the sick

7. Burying the dead (it is added later as the seventh corporal work of mercy)

o Bl. Chavara, the founder of our congregation once told to the religious members, ‘if you do not do any of these virtues in any of the day in your life, that day is not counted in your book of life’.

Conclusion

o Let us be the citizens of God’s Kingdom by practicing the corporate virtues in our life, at least one virtue a day. By this we would be preparing our place in heaven.

o We adore a King who is the friend of poor. Let us be poor and simple in our life by avoiding pride. Remember that God hears the cry of the poor.

o Pray to God that let He walk in front of us in our ways of life. He will remove the evil powers from our ways and protect us.

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – Parable of Talents (Mt 25:14-30)

The Facts and the Risks in God’s Blessings

Introduction

- Each and every one of us has talents and abilities that are necessary for our life. The talents can be of various types. It can be the ability to play, sing and dance, pray and intercede, console others, positive outlook, health, compassion, spiritual gifts, etc. Even our ability to smile and console others may be a talent.

- The talents may be buried, or increase and use it for selfish interests alone, or develop and use it for the Kingdom of God.

Content

- Three Facts that Jesus teaches us through the parable of talents

1. There is a master

§ The master is God Himself who has entrusted us with talents and abilities.

§ In the parable it is clearly mentioned that ‘He entrusted His possessions to them’. Therefore it is His possessions that we share.

§ Since He is the master each one should be accountable to Him. It happens on the last judgment day when we stand in front of him to give the accounts.

2. He has given us talents.

§ Talents are given according to each one’s capacity and necessity (in the parable the first one received 5, the second 2 and the third 1)

§ Some people are not aware of the talents that they have received from God. It is good to reflect on what are the talents we have received. If possible make a list of them which would lead us to thank Him all the more.

3. Talents are to be developed

§ There are two kinds of people in developing the talents – Risk takers and Care takers. Risk takers (the one who received 5 talents and 2 talents in the parable) develop it, while the Care takers do not.

- Two Risks / Dangers

1. Laziness

§ It can be because of many factors such as not aware of the value of the talents, or our outlook towards like, or fear etc.

§ The basic form of laziness is “I will do it after some time / next day / next time”

§ “Time and Tide wait for none”.

2. Comparison

§ Comparison means comparing what we have with others. It would end up in either unhealthy competition or disappointment or even spiritual blindness.

§ Let us remember the parable. Lord did not entrust His wealth equally. It is done according to the will of God and the capacity of human being. Therefore, stop comparison and thank God for what we have received.

Conclusion

- Let us be the people who accept God as the Master of what we are and what we have.

- Let us be the people who thank God always for the blessings we have received from Him.

- Let us be the people who develop the entrusted talents and use it for the glory of God.