Christ as King & Judge
TOMORROW is the feast of Christ the King. When Jesus was crucified, a wooden sign (caratola) was nailed over his head with the inscription INRI, which in Latin means “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.” In English, “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.”
By the way, among the people of Ilocos Norte like me, INRI also means “Ilocos Norte Region I,” making Jesus their kababayan.
* * * Levity aside, is Christ really a king? Standing before Pilate, Christ did not deny that he was indeed a king. But then he said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18,36). Jesus’ reply means he was not the kind of king Pilate imagined: a military or political ruler, but rather a spiritual ruler.
* * * In this Sunday’s gospel, 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’re faithful to Jesus’ teachings, 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, good looks, fame or fortune, nor even our long prayers. Obviously, these are important but the Lord is saying that these should be put at the service of the “least, last, and lost” of society. Hence, the question that will be asked is: How much have you done or not done for them?
* * * 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 face of the poor, the hungry, the sick, the suffering.
The late Mother Teresa, now saint, was deeply moved by Jesus’ Parable of the Last Judgment that she left behind her work in a school devoting her whole life among the poorest of the poor, thus earning the title “the Saint of the Gutters.” She said, “I want to go to Heaven; that’s why I follow Jesus’ teaching of caring and devoting my life for the poor.”
* * *
Of course, not all of us can emulate the demanding work of the late Teresa of Calcutta. But we must have her SPIRIT of charity which reflects that of Christ who “went about doing good.”
A Christian act may not be big or spectacular. It could mean finding time to visit old folks and relatives and listen to their “long-playing” stories; or being caring and understanding to members of the family despite their weaknesses. It could also mean providing our helpers and workers security for their old age like SSS or housing benefits.
* * *
A man says: “What scares me most is when God says to Mother Teresa on Judgment Day, ‘Teresa, you should have done more good works.’
And there I am--right behind her!”
* * *
Doing acts of charity is not that easy but according to the Lord that’s the way to enter his Kingdom and the only way we can become fully human and fully Christian.
* * * FAMILY TV MASS — aired on IBC 13 (channel 15 cable) at 7-8 a.m. every Sunday; also on international GMA Pinoy TV. SPONSOR: HOLY FAMILY CHAPEL, Greenhills, Mandaluyong. Mass celebrant: FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD.
PRAY WITH US ON TV.