“Go and Proclaim: Do not wait for the end times, surely GOD will judge the people of every nation”
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2; 3-5; 6-7
Second Reading: 1 Cor. 15:21-28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-40
Homily by Fr. Romie-Jun Peñalosa
In this Sunday Mass Homily in Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, Kalibo, Fr. Romie- Jun reminded us today that Jesus is our Lord and King. As we have come to the end of the liturgical year, we have experienced so many challenges but in spite of those circumstances, Jesus still remains as our King.
Now, we need to ask ourselves, “If Christ is King, do I follow Him as King?”. Let us never forget the reason for this celebration- that we acknowledge Jesus as our King. If we acknowledge Him as King of our lives, we also follow Him as King – not just to follow Him as a friend or teacher. But how do we follow Him as our King?
The first reading depicts the cruelty of Israel’s past leaders. But God said through Ezekiel, “I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ez. 34: 11-13) God demonstrates a shepherd-like leadership- the leadership pattern that we must also do to lead our flock with care. Jesus shepherds us and takes good care of us. Today, we are invited to celebrate His kingship. He invites us also to rule with a shepherd-like character for we are His privileged people that sees His kingship, and we must manifest this kind of kingship to others.
The second question that we need to reflect on for this day is, “How do I follow Him? Do I follow Him as the King of my life?”. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that in the day of judgement, He will separate the sheep and the goats, and it is up to us to choose who we will become. The decision is ours, are we going to follow His kingship will we be stubborn until the day He comes back again?
In verses 37- 39, we learn about how we should follow Christ as or Lord and King- typically known as the seven acts of mercy. These are the ways on how we could demonstrate the kingship of God to other people. It is our responsibility to take care of the poor, for He says that “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25: 40). Prove your faith through your actions. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, invite a stranger to come in to your home, and visit the sick and those who are in prison.
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