Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

Thirty-Fourth Sunday of the Year, A – Nov 26, 2017: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe & Last Sunday of the Year.

Readings: Ex 34:11-12; Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:1-3, 5-6; 

1 Cor. 15:20-26,28; Gospel  Matthew 25:31-46.

Theme: Celebrating Christ as Shepherd & King

Introduction

Christ in friends today is Christ the King - A day in which the liturgical cycle of the Church closes. The celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ as King of the Universe reminds Christians about the indefectible place of Christ’s reign over the earth and the call to live as heirs of the Kingdom. On this day, Christians go on procession with the Blessed Sacrament while chanting Eucharistic hymns unto the Universal King of the Universe. We shall weave our reflection around the origin and aims of the celebration while drawing lessons from the liturgical readings.

Brief History of Christ the King/Aims & Objectives of the Celebration

The celebration of Christ the King dates back to 1925 when Pope Pius XI instituted it. By 1970, the celebration was moved to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Holy Father wanted the solemnity to impact on the faithful in the following ways:

1. To enable them gain strength and courage upon meditating on these truths so as to live ideal Christian lives;

2. To facilitate our becoming subject to Christ’s dominion without exempting any of our faculties since his power embraces all peoples;

3. To let him reign in our minds, which must assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths, and to the doctrines of Christ;

4. To let Christ reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God;

5. To let him reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires, and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone;

6. To let him reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for interior sanctification of our souls, or instruments of justice unto God as Saint Paul would say. 

Explication of Readings

In the first reading (Ex 34:11-12), we are presented with the image of God as shepherd who takes charge of his sheep because human shepherds disappointed him. He particularly mentions the most vulnerable sheep for special care yet noting that he would not forget the fat and healthy ones as well. This reading is apt to our celebration because God’s kingship over us is supreme – in fact, he does not discriminate against his creatures as he loves all equally. Where human kings fail in shepherding over his people, his reign over all supplies. 

This theme is also reflected in the second reading (1 Cor. 15:20-26,28) wherein St. Paul states that at the end of time, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. This reminds us that we are not only subjects of what St. Augustine calls “the City of Men” but heirs of “the City of God.” This implies that we ought to act in a way and manner that we will not be cut off from the benefits of the kingdom because of the reckless lives we lived on earth.