Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday we observe the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of The Universe. This feast was instituted by the Church in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to combat the emergence of “dictatorial regimes” in Europe which included facism and socialism (Through the Church Year, Kelly.) Pope Pius wanted to “reassert the ultimate, universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ and His law of truth and love” over these regimes and affirm to all Christians that God is the ultimate ruler over the universe. What are the forces in our modern world which seek to  replace God and His universal power with their own? In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the Last Judgment when Jesus will return to earth to judge the living and the dead. Matthew 25:31-46 is clear that at that time, we will all be judged on love.
As this church year draws to a close and another begins next Sunday with the beginning of Advent, we reflect upon how love is action rather than feeling. With biblical understanding, we demonstrate love for God through charitable actions shown towards our neighbor. How do we want to improve our love of God and neighbor in the new church year? How do we desire to allow God to reign over us and our lives more completely so that His Kingdom governs all that we do? How may our prayer change to reflect our new understandings of faith that we have gained?
In the gospel, the goats learn at their judgment that they have not recognized God present and alive within those in need. For their selfishness and self-absorption, the Son of Man prevents the goats from entering the new “kingdom” prepared for the righteous. Conversion involves seeing the
world with new eyes, so that we recognize God present within others and within the whole of life.
Let us pray for one another this Advent that we may all prepare well for the coming of the Lord.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael