Christ the King of the Universe

Ezekiel 34:11-12 Corinthians 15:20-26 Matthew 25:31-46

This year's election was often a referendum on the soul of America, either to keep or make America great. But how do we measure that greatness? It is typically measured in things like the strength of our economy, the power of our military, our influence in other countries, and our devotion to individual freedoms. All of that is important because it has a real impact on people's lives here and around the world.

Today, however, Jesus in our gospel reading faces us a different, deeper, and more humble question: How do we make our nation and how do we become not great but good? It is not a matter of our political or military strength, but of our moral fiber. Greatness, as defined conventionally, depends on our ability to control our lives and often on how we can impose our will on others.

Kindness, as Jesus defines in his story about final judgment, is something else: serving others, especially the poorest and most vulnerable among us, and serving their needs. In practical terms, it means doing many of the things we have come to know as bodily works of mercy: feeding the hungry, drinking the thirsty, welcoming abroad, giving shelter to the homeless, visiting and caring for the sick or jailed.

This is all good and necessary. They were in Jesus times, they still are today and will continue to be in the future. Worldwide, every day people, organizations and institutions of the church are working in charity eaters; helping people gain access to clean water; providing help to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Every day Catholic hospitals and clinics care for the sick, including those who can't afford to pay for their care. Every day, Catholic chaplains and volunteers visit people in prison, involving them in Bible studies, prayer services, masses and sacrament preparation.

These are the permanent and established body works of mercy. They are essential in every era and season. But today, while much of our country and many parts of the world are losing the battle to COVID-19, the Lord asks us to assume another and hopefully temporary work of mercy: to do some fundamental things that are inconvenient and difficult before a public health emergency:
· Wash our hands thoroughly and frequently.
· Avoid gatherings, especially large gatherings, with people outside our homes.
· Wear masks or other mouth covers.
· Maintain a six-foot social distancing in public places.
· Stay home as much as possible, limiting our outdoor trips to those essential.
· Get outside and get some fresh air when we can safely do it.
· Being patient, realizing that pandemics are not perpetual and that doing some of these practical things may limit but not eliminate the spread of COVID-19 and will decrease but will not eliminate the risk of virus exposure.

In our gospel reading, Jesus calls us to be aware of ′′the smallest of these brothers and sisters". Who are ′′the smallest′′ nowadays? The doctors, nurses, nurses and other health care workers. Police officers, paramedics and other lifeguards. Farm workers, store workers, restaurant employees and grocery stores, and those who don't have the opportunity to work from home. Students of all ages unable to attend classes in person.
Several generations ago, when our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor and entered WWII, people were asked to make sacrifices. Lots of food and consumer goods were rationed to keep our troops. People limited heating in their homes and used extra layers of clothes to keep fuel. Many young people went to war and many women left their homes to work in the factories. People bought war bonds. Over a million members of our military were killed or injured.

We owe our freedom to that generation. They realized that responsibility, to us and to others, is the price we must continue to pay for that freedom. That's what it means to be a nation. More so, that's what it means to be a church, God's people. As we trust with the prophet Ezekiel that ultimately God will care for us, rescue us, give us rest and lead us to safe pastures, we must also cooperate with God's grace and goodness.

Pope Francis has said that: ′′Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself. Flowers don't spread their fragrance by themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other."

Living for each other is also a rule of the gospel. We were born to know, love and serve God, and we do so loving and serving others. +
 

- Capuchin Friar John Celichowski, OFM Cap.