Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never really stopped and thought about what this solemnity means.
In today’s gospel reading (Matthew 25: 31-46) Jesus talks to His disciples about those who will inherit His kingdom. Jesus says, “I was hungry and you gave me food, ill and you cared for me.” He says those who serve Him will be welcomed by the Father. But when did we feed Jesus?
Jesus drops a truth bomb, and it’s one of my favorites. He says, “Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
We’ve all heard that line before, right? It’s basically Jesus’ whole entire gospel mantra. “Love your neighbor. By the way, your neighbor is everyone.” Sometimes when you hear something enough it loses it’s pizzazz.
When we hear this reading, immediately our brains go to those outside of our home who need food, drink, shelter and clothing. And, while no one is going to argue that SEEKING opportunities to serve is good and important work, it would do us good to recognize God presents us with opportunities to serve daily.
Even those who don’t have the time or resource to SEEK opportunities to serve can work on RECOGNIZING the opportunity when it presents itself.
It’s easy for me to see YOU as my neighbor. It is more difficult for me to see the “neighbor” in my husband or my 2 year old. So, in addition to going out into the world and DOING, let’s open our eyes to the needs of those closest to us. They are our “Jesus,” too.
Today is the day we celebrate Christ as King. It’s so fitting that today’s reading is about SERVING, right? Jesus, God himself, the dude who spent his time on earth healing the sick and who died a painful death that He didn’t even deserve, THAT’S the king. That’s the guy we’re meant to emulate. That’s our leader. Woah.
So, serve your neighbor. By the way, your neighbor is everyone.
Diana Divulges 