Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Thus, we end our year with a celebration of Christ as the king of the universe. Our homily started with the idea that, as Americans, the concept of Christ as king is a little foreign to our democratic environment. A king's role is not to simply dole our laws and requirements, but to provide protection and ensure the well-being of his subjects. Many people tend to think of Christ in only one of these roles, but He upholds both ends of this agreement. He protects and provides for us by giving us rules and guidelines to follow.
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells about the final judgement when He separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are those who have cared for others and who will be rewarded with everlasting life. The goats are those who have ignored the suffering of others and will face everlasting torment. In both cases, the people are surprised at their condition, but the "goats" are the ones most surprised.
I fear that I am a goat. I have not done much in my life that has eased the suffering of others. Much of the time, I find myself thinking selfishly with little regard for the health or well-being of others. I am often consumed with my own problems and concerns to the point that I exclude the problems and concerns of others from my thoughts.
In the end, my hope rests that God will be merciful to me in my failures. In return, I believe that it is only fair that I am merciful to others. I must refrain from judging others harshly in the hope that the harsh judgment that I deserve does not come down upon me.
For these reasons, I am glad that the ultimate judge is none other than the king of the universe, Jesus Christ. He who willingly suffered, died, and rose for us both understands our condition and is merciful in His judgment. For He protects and provides for us in His role as king.
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells about the final judgement when He separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are those who have cared for others and who will be rewarded with everlasting life. The goats are those who have ignored the suffering of others and will face everlasting torment. In both cases, the people are surprised at their condition, but the "goats" are the ones most surprised.
I fear that I am a goat. I have not done much in my life that has eased the suffering of others. Much of the time, I find myself thinking selfishly with little regard for the health or well-being of others. I am often consumed with my own problems and concerns to the point that I exclude the problems and concerns of others from my thoughts.
In the end, my hope rests that God will be merciful to me in my failures. In return, I believe that it is only fair that I am merciful to others. I must refrain from judging others harshly in the hope that the harsh judgment that I deserve does not come down upon me.
For these reasons, I am glad that the ultimate judge is none other than the king of the universe, Jesus Christ. He who willingly suffered, died, and rose for us both understands our condition and is merciful in His judgment. For He protects and provides for us in His role as king.
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