Actually, today's celebration is: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This is the end of the liturgical year. Next week starts the Advent season as we prepare again for Christmas.
It is fitting that today's readings talk about God taking care for us as well as reminding us that we need to take care of each other. In the Gospel, the end of times sees humanity divided into "sheep" and "goats." Today's homily reminded us that it is not our job to divide; rather, we should be working to help bring people together. God alone is our final judge.
I find it truly difficult not to judge. Instead, it is easy for me to sit in comfort behind a computer screen passing judgement and shaking my head knowingly rather doing what God has actually called us to do: help those in need. I hide behind the busyness of my life, helping in small, relatively effortless, doses. Yet have I really given food to the hunger, drink to the thirsty, welcome to the stranger, clothing to the naked, care for the ill, or fellowship to the prisoner? Moreso, is what I have done actually from the goodness of my heart, or out of fear of a future punishment?
I cannot help but think that those non-Christians, and especially atheists, who do these types of charitable acts without (or even in spite of) promises of eternal rewards are better deserving of the Kingdom of Heaven than I am.
It is fitting that today's readings talk about God taking care for us as well as reminding us that we need to take care of each other. In the Gospel, the end of times sees humanity divided into "sheep" and "goats." Today's homily reminded us that it is not our job to divide; rather, we should be working to help bring people together. God alone is our final judge.
I find it truly difficult not to judge. Instead, it is easy for me to sit in comfort behind a computer screen passing judgement and shaking my head knowingly rather doing what God has actually called us to do: help those in need. I hide behind the busyness of my life, helping in small, relatively effortless, doses. Yet have I really given food to the hunger, drink to the thirsty, welcome to the stranger, clothing to the naked, care for the ill, or fellowship to the prisoner? Moreso, is what I have done actually from the goodness of my heart, or out of fear of a future punishment?
I cannot help but think that those non-Christians, and especially atheists, who do these types of charitable acts without (or even in spite of) promises of eternal rewards are better deserving of the Kingdom of Heaven than I am.
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