She calls out to the man on the street, sir can you help me. It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep, is there somewhere you can tell me? He walks on, doesn't look back. He pretends he can't hear her. He starts to whistle as he crosses the street, she's embarrased to be there. Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise. Just think about it!
Beautiful and profound lyrics from the great Phil Collins that seem to be written for today's celebration.
We've all experienced encounters with people like the woman in this haunting song. Perhaps we've driven by the Covington Food Bank and actually seen the lines of people waiting to receive a little food to sustain them for another week. Those of us from New Orleans have no doubt seen the men lining up at Ozanam Inn, hoping for a meal and a cot to sleep through the night. And all of us have seen those on streets, off the interstates as they beg for food or help. Think twice? Or do we think once? Are we initially inclined to mutter bums, get a job or do we simply try and ignore them.
As people of faith Jesus, Christ the King, challenges us to think twice. Do we see others as our King sees them?
Today we arrive at the Solemnity of Christ the King; the final big celebration of this liturgical year. When we gather together again for Sunday Mass we will be in Advent and we all will be praying the new translations from the Roman Missal. Exciting times! Our solemnity we celebrate today is not very old; not quite 100 years old. Yet it's significance and it's placement at the end of the year is important.
The Gospel we read today is so appropriate as we receive instruction on the type of King we celebrate. When you and I think of a king likely we think of thrones and crowns and palaces and power and elaborate events. The model for Christ the King is more or a shepherd as we can see from our 1st reading today in Ezekiel. Shepherds were so vitally important to the people of the region in the days that Jesus walked the earth. Why a shepherd as the model for Christ the King? A shepherd was the ruler over his flock. Yet the shepherd cared for his flock with great compassion and dedication. He would do anything to safeguard thee flock, to maybe even lay down his life for them. With great care, he would search agressively for any lost sheep, bringing them back to the fold. And as a shepherd, his goal was to lead the flock safely to their final destination; their home. Christ the King rules over His flock too and rules over them with compassion and kindness and love. But also, Christ the King also rules with divine fairness and justice; thus he seperates His sheep from the goats; he places the righteous on his right and the accursed on his left. And then he leads His flock, along the right paths, safely to the final destination, a home that is eternal.
The path upon which He leads this flock is the example in this Gospel. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the ill and the prisoner. Why? For when we do for "them", we do for Him; our shepherd and our King.
Not just a shepherd, Christ the King, is also our great teacher. As a teacher, Christ the King wants us to be prepared for that all important final exam that each of us will face at the end of our lives. In His teaching today in the Gospel, Jesus is preparing us with the ultimate study guide. A good study guide may give us the questions we will face on our final exam. Christ the King not only gives us the questions, he gives us the answers too. He wants us to know that we too must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the ill and the prisoner. Why? For when we do for "them", we do for Him; our great teacher and our King!
What does today's Gospel mean for us today? How can we respond in the week ahead? After all, we are distracted today. It's Thanksgiving week; the kids are out of school, the family is coming over. The holidays are starting. Let's go to the parish bulletin. Presently we have a coat drive going on so that no child goes without a warm coat this winter. The box is right here in Church. Have we donated yet to this opportunity to clothe someone? Our food pantry is right here in the Church too. Thankfully, it is full and overflowing. Did we contribute this week or do we plan to in these last few days before Thanksgiving? Here is another opportunity to feed the hungry. Finally, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, many of us will be surrounded by family members. Sometimes, one of our own presents certain challneges, or we find ourselves not fully reconciled with a family member. Can we visit with them and find some peace and reconciliation? Even more challenging; many of us know of at least one person who will be alone this Thanksgiving. It may be a neighbor or a longtime family friend. Can we reach out and share our meal and ourselves with that person this week?
Just think about it; then think twice!
Yes, Phil Collins sung those beautiful words and reminded us that while others struggle daily, we live in our own little "paradise". But Christ the King shows us a more beautiful way that leads to a true paradise; our eternal home.
Just think about it; think twice!
No comments:
Post a Comment