We have reached the end of the Church’s calendar year with the Feast of Christ the King. The figure that’s presented is a king who will judge us. He will decide on that final day who will or will not share his kingdom forever. It’s a dreadful scene. But for those who are faithful to Christ’s teaching, it will be a day of glory.
If you read carefully the Parable of the Last Judgment (Mt.25: 31-46), you will notice that our judgment will not depend on our intelligence, our good looks, our fame or fortune, nor even our long prayers and novenas, important as they may be, but only one single question: HOW MUCH HAVE WE DONE OR NOT DONE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED??? JESUS as King, will become visible in the Last Judgment, but according to the parable, He is already present among us although hidden – in the poor, hungry, the sick and the suffering.
The story is told about a Roman soldier Martin of Tours who lived in the 3rd century. One cold day as he was entering a city, a beggar stopped him and asked him for alms. Martin had no money, and the beggar was shivering with cold. Martin took off his cloak, and cut it in two and gave half of it to the beggar. That night, in a dream, he saw Jesus wearing half of the Roman soldier’s cloak. Asked where he got it, Jesus replied, “My servant Martin gave it to me.” The story illustrates graphically Christ’s words: “whatever you did to the least of my brothers, you did it to me.”
Christ’s parable highlights one important point which Christians often overlook. Those on the left-hand side were condemned not because of their sins or crimes but their FAILURE to do something for the needy. They are condemned not for anything they have done, but for things they have NOT done. Here is a funny side and an adaptation of the Parable of the Last Judgment: For I was hungry, and you were obese; Thirsty and you were watering your lawn; A stranger and you called the police and were glad to see me taken away; Naked and you were saying, “I don’t have a thing to wear – I must get some new clothes tomorrow”; Ill and you asked, “Is it contagious?” In prison and you said, “That’s where your kind belongs.” Does this describe you?
A JOKE FROM ST. JOE: Son: “Dad, what is God’s name?” Father: “God has many names. He is called Yahweh, Jehovah, Lord and Father.” Son: “Can I call him 'Senior', so I can be his 'junior’?”
This is the 34th week in Ordinary Time. The feast of St. Andrew, Apostle—brother of Simon Peter, Patron of Russia and Scotland, and of the Greek Church and of the fishing industry is the mast celebrated. December 1 is the 1st Friday of this month and on the 2nd, we have our 1st Saturday Mass and devotion to our Lady of Fatima for our adorers and devotees to our Lady. This is all for now watch for the next bulletin. God Bless!
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie