34th Sunday of Ordinary Time - A

Christ the King

November 24, 2002

In our popular imaginations kings and queens represent a time long gone by, or remnants maintained in a few northern European countries, or perhaps the magical kingdom dreamed up by Disney INC. But the solemnity of Christ the King sets before us an entirely different and unexpected definition of kingdom living

Though the prophecies of Ezekiel come from a time of living in exile and banishment, the gloom of a lost destroyed kingdom gives way to the promise of a new people coming to birth. The first reading offers us one of many images of newness found in this prophetic book.

Elsewhere Ezekiel speaks of a new heart, a new spirit, a law written in the heart, Ezekiel tells us that all this newness is the work of the Lord, not because is Israel is worthy but because God is holy. In today's first reading we see that God does not act with an iron hand or smite the sinner and perhaps we are startled or even jealous. Rather, God gathers his sheep from frightening places, seeks the lost, and offers rest, binds the wounds and heals the sick. If this image is familiar to us than we already know this shepherd named Jesus, who risks his life for his sheep, ultimately dies for his sheep

In the second reading Paul presents us with a fascinating account of the beginning of the end. It was the resurrection of Jesus that ushered in this new age--an unending age in which we now live. The day is coming when death itself will be powerless and the risen Christ will hand over the harvest of his great work to the Father.

Today's gospel parable offers a vision of that day when the harvest will be separated between those who accept Jesus and his teaching from those who do not. This is the real message of the parable. It is not so much about separating sheep and goats, good and evil as it is about the certainty that there are both and the necessary and inevitable separation at the end of time based upon acceptance of the message. It is similar to the parables we have heard over the last six weeks.

Even Mark Twain, a professed agnostic wrote a story about two boys who lived about 300 years ago. One was Edward, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne. The other was Thomas Canty, a pauper, a very impoverished young lad.

One day by happenstance they met--to their amazement they discovered they looked like mirror images of each other. They had in fact been born identical twins; the mother had been forced to -spare one in order to preserve the other from the jealous insanity of the father.

The good hearted Edward realizing the years of deprivation of his sibling insisted on switching clothing allowing Thomas to experience the royal life and Edward that of poverty and destitution like many in his father's kingdom.

Edward dressed in rags, wandering the streets of London was arrested. Of course he was unable to convince anyone of his real identity. Only several months later as Thomas was about to be crowned king upon his father's death did he reveal the truth. Edward received his rightful throne and Thomas remained in the palace by his side as trusted companion.

The gospel today again reminds us that Jesus is the prince in rags--in swaddling clothes--born in a barn. He says: I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was a stranger. We worship and we serve the king upon the altar but we must also recognize and serve him as the pauper in rags. Only then will he be able to say to us: Come Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Come and receive my Father's blessing.

There are many ways of telling this story -- ways of relating the Kingship of Jesus and his love and generosity for us, his sisters and brothers. Let those who have ears listen; for how well you listen is the ultimate criteria of judgment.