34A SUNDAY HOMILY: CHRIST THE KING. MATTHEW 25:31-46, NOVEMBER 26, 2023
1. STORY
A king, who had no children, was looking for someone to succeed him.
Signs were put up throughout the kingdom inviting qualified men to apply. The two requirements were that they must have
a deep love for God and for neighbor. John,
who was poor, had these requirements so he decided to apply. He had to beg for money to buy decent clothes
and buy food for the long journey. After
travelling a month, John saw the castle on a hill in the distance. At the same time, he saw a poor old beggar on
the side of the road and heard him saying that he was hungry and cold. John was deeply moved and exchanged his warm
clothes with the beggar and gave him money that he was to use for his return
trip. John arrived at the castle wearing
tattered clothes and with no money. The
guard brought him to see the king. John
bowed before the king and when he straightened up, he was amazed to see that
the king before him was the beggar he met the day before. John asked the king why he acted as a beggar. The king replied that he had to find out if
John really did love God and neighbor. The
king wanted the person who followed him to be like him, loving God and his
neighbor. John became the new king.
2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 25:31-46
A. THE NEEDY IN THE WORLD
At the last judgment, Jesus will judge us by our actions in helping those in need. He will not judge us by how much education we have, how much money we have earned, what position we had in life, or how famous we were.
B. HELPING THOSE IN NEED
Jesus tells us clearly what kind of actions he considers important.
Here are some examples.
i) Feed the hungry.
ii) Give water to the thirsty.
iii) Welcome the stranger.
iv) Clothe the naked.
v) Visit the sick.
vi) Visit those in prison.
Jesus, our King, has given us his example during his life as he helped
those in need. He wants us to continue
his work.
3. APPLICATION IN LIFE
A) THOSE IN NEED TODAY
Today there are many in need. There are those in physical need. They may need food, clothes, a home, work, medical care, or money. There are those who are in spiritual need. They are unhappy, lonely, friendless, or hopeless.
B) HELPING THOSE IN NEED
We can give material help by giving food to the hungry, clothes to the
poor, or money to the penniless. We can
give spiritual help by calling one who is lonely, visiting the sick, or
listening to someone in trouble. Jesus, our king, wants us to continue the work
he began while on earth.
4. CONCLUSION
The king in the story wanted his successor to be like him by loving God
and helping those in need. Jesus, our
king, wants us to continue his work by helping those in need. There are many who need material help and
there are many who need spiritual help. We
can help some of the needy according to our ability. When we make others happy, we become happy. Jesus, our king, wants us to continue his work
of helping the needy.
