November 26, 2023・Solemnity of Christ the King (A）
Ezekiel 34.11－12, 15－17・Ps. 23. 2+3, 5, 6・1 Cor. 15.20－26, 28・ Matthew 25.31－46.
Christ the King is the Center
We All Gather and Become One
We are being taught that every Sunday Mass is a Sunday Mass of obligation for every Baptized Catholics. However, a less done 50 percent Sunday Mass attendance of the total baptized Catholics is a reality to many parishes. We must know some common factors why, with some other reasons unique to every individual. With “thousand hopes” and with increased faith we will all be together to gather as a big community listening to the Word of God, receiving the Body of Christ in form of bread, and truly celebrating our faith life. With this reality in our church today (at present) however, we cannot undermine the movement of the Holy Spirit among us. The Church is alive, and each member of the community enthrones above all Jesus as King of both our individual and community living, and of respective homes.
Let us set aside our differences, work together and reach－out to others while not losing sight of the center where we are all called to gather and become one in Christ. “So that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me, I live by faith in the Son of God, and loved me and gaved His life for me.” Galatians 2.20
Today is the 34th Sunday and the last Sunday of the Church Calendar, the Solemnity of Christ the King. We all sum－up today what we have heard and listened. Let us continue to be living witnesses of Jesus who once walked on this earth. There was Jesus who went around the towns of Galilee, Samaria and Judea, teaching, healing, consoling, and liberating people. He is the Christ, our Lord and King.
For further reflection we spend time in prayer, and take courage to stand－up and keep going-out from laziness, mediocrity and indifference, and reach out in love especially to those who are hungry, and thirsty, to the poor and naked, to the sick and to those in prison. In one way or the other, there are also some who are hungry and thirsty of the Word of God. Food and drinks is bountiful in the sheepfold. We do not allow others to let astray forever. The reasons why they hunger and thirst and why they are sick or in prison, which most of the time hinder us to reach out, do not matter anymore to people who reach－out in love.