Christ our King dwells in ourselves and each other
Today is the Last Sunday (the Thirty-fourth) of the Year of Grace 2008. As the liturgical year ends, we are pointed towards the en of time itself and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ King, of the entire universe. The liturgy of the Church encourages us to look forward to this time with hope; in fact part of Christian tradition is to actually long for the end of the world, as we know it, and the return of Christ in glory.
In Matthew’s gospel we listen to the great parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats. The focus of the Gospel is the Christian belief that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we also do for Christ. The One who has shepherded us toward the day of judgement demands that we have also shepherded one another. Ultimately, our judgement is based on whether we have lived as Christ.
One of the ways we can begin to see the Christ in another person is by not judging the negative aspects we first see in each other, but instead looking for the good. This can be carried out in such a simple Christian practice as seeking ways to compliment rather than criticise another, or by being careful not to spread gossip. In this way we build up the body of Christ and bring honour to Christ our King who dwells in ourselves and each other.
Today is also National Youth Sunday. We welcome young people at the 1200 Mass today who will assist in the ministries of reading and hospitality. This afternoon, at St Swithun’s Church, Southsea, young people from the parishes across our city will gather to celebrate this day with activities, workshops, reflection and prayer.
Our retiring collection today is in support of the young people in our pastoral area and the continued good work of our Deanery Youth Worker.
Fr Steven Restori