The Parable of the Last Judgement
This Sunday we celebrate the The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and this weekend also marks the end of the Liturgical year. The two parables that we have listened to over the last couple of weeks (The Talents and the Ten Bridesmaids) both stress waiting for and preparing (or not) for the return of Christ. The parable in this weekend’s Gospel reading takes us forward to the moment the Son of Man comes in glory. The nations are assembled and the sheep are separated from the goats. This parable is like the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in that the time to repent and be converted, the time to care for the poor on one's doorstep, is past. Judgment has arrived.
The parable emphasizes the connection between seeing a need and acting on it. The sequence of seeing, having compassion, and acting is a common one in the gospels. The Good Samaritan, the woman weeping at the death of her only son, the Prodigal Son are all examples of this. These stories all focus on the same theme of putting love of the other into action.
Here in the parable of the Last Judgment what makes some blessed is the fact that, though they did not realize it, in seeing the poor and helping them, they saw and helped Jesus. By contrast, what makes others cursed is that they never really did see Jesus suffering and in need because they never really saw the poor. The king addresses each of two groups as either blessed or cursed and announces the consequences—enter into the kingdom or depart from him. He states his criterion for making these assignments, a need that they either met or did not meet: "I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, or in prison and you fed, gave me drink, welcomed me clothes me, visited me, came to see me." (Matt 25:35)
The things we are asked to do are simple: give food and drink to ‘Jesus’ in those who are hungry and thirsty; to clothe ‘Jesus’ in those who are naked; to visit ‘Jesus’ in those who are sick and in jail. Whether we realize it or not, every time we spontaneously take care of a brother or sister in need it is Jesus himself, we are serving.
An important point to remember is ‘You did it to me, not for me’. Father Paul Murray, the spiritual writer and sometime spiritual advisor to Mother Teresa relates the following story. He was one day in a deep conversation with Mother Teresa searching out the sources of her spirituality and mission. At the end of their long talk she asked him to spread his hand out on the table and touching his fingers one by one as she spoke the words she said “you …did …it …to… me”. Mother Teresa understood that Jesus identifies himself especially with the person in need. Every time we neglect to help a brother or sister in need, we neglect Jesus himself. Let us not forget to see the face of Christ in everyone we meet and reach out to others as we are asked to.
Jesus, our King, is truly clear about the criteria for knowing whether I am a sheep or a goat. We will be judged by the extent to which we see, have compassion, and act in response to his sufferings in the world. How have I loved? How have I cared for others especially the poor, the needy and the marginalized?
Looking back over the last day or week, recall times when you have acted as Jesus asked, and give thanks.
God bless you folks, Father Gerard
