The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, Cycle A

First Reading
Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17
God himself will shepherd the people of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-2,2-3,5-6
The Lord is our shepherd.

Second Reading
Corinthians 15:20-26,28
Because Christ has been raised from the dead, all those who have died will
also be raised.

Gospel Reading
Jesus teaches that when the Son of Man comes in glory, he will judge the
nations, separating the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you frthe foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?'
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.'
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."


Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel passage is the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse with his
disciples. It is about the end of time, the coming of the Son of Man, and
the final judgment. We hear this description of the final judgment at the
conclusion of our liturgical year, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
the King. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel, this passage might also be
read as a conclusion of Matthew’s report on Jesus’ life and ministry; the
remaining chapters report the events of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to his disciples the scene of the
judgment of the Son of Man. All the nations will be assembled before him,
and he will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep and goats upon
their return from the pasture. The judgments made by the Son of Man will be
based upon the acts of mercy shown to the least ones—the hungry, the
thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. Indeed, Jesus, who
suffered on the Cross, identifies himself with the least ones.

Recall that last week’s parable of the talents taught us that the gifts
that we have been given are intended to be used for the service of others,
especially the least among us. Our judgment before God will be based not
only on how we have used these gifts and talents, but also on how we have
extended ourselves in service to these least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us
that whenever we have served these least ones, we have served Christ
himself.

When we read today’s Gospel in the context of the chapters that follow in
Matthew’s Gospel, we learn the extent to which Jesus identifies with the
least ones. In accepting death on the cross, Jesus shows himself to be one
of the hungry, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. To accept Jesus is
to accept him who suffered and died on the Cross as one of the least ones.


Family Connection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that we will be judged on only one
thing: the acts of mercy we have shown to the least among us. Jesus
identifies with the least ones; thus we serve Jesus whenever we serve one
of the least ones. The Church calls the actions that Jesus described in
today’s Gospel the Corporal Works of Mercy. These works are to feed the
hungry, to clothe the naked, to bury the dead, to shelter the homeless, to
visit the sick and imprisoned, and to give alms to the poor. In these
actions we show God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.

As you gather as a family, recall the list of the Corporal Works of Mercy.
Talk about some concrete examples of how your family might do these actions
in your community and then discuss why it is important that we do these
things. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Ask: Why does Jesus say we ought to do these
works of mercy? (Because whenever we show mercy to another person, we show
mercy to Jesus himself.) Choose one Corporal Work of Mercy that your family
will act upon this week. Pray together that your family will see and serve
Jesus in the least ones among us. Pray the Lord’s Prayer or an Act of Love.



Sources: Loyola Press;Sunday Readings