"I myself will look after and tend my sheep." (Ezekiel 34:11)
I've been debating all evening whether to write a reflection because I didn't preach today. It has been a surreal day for me to say this least. But I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you my dear friends.
On this feast of Christ the King, there was one prevailing thought that I've been pondering the last few days especially as I look at the cross: "If Christ did this for us, what must we do for him?" In today's gospel, Jesus teaches us that whenever we serve the least of our brothers and sisters we are serving him. We have a King who taught us how to serve and who taught us that true power and greatness lies in service.
There are so many people in our lives that live exemplary lives of service and who devote their lives completely to others without regard for themselves. This is what our Lord did. This is why the Father crowned him with glory: because he "loved to the extreme." These people in our lives who love and serve as Christ did serve as true models for us to change our selfish ways and live totally for the other. We want to follow their example but so many times fall short. This should not discourage us but rather inspire us to keep reaching for greatness. More often than not, we will fall short of the example of Christ, but we still strive every day to be better Christians. And if we are discouraged, all we have to do is listen to the first reading and psalm where our Good Shepherd promises to look after and tend to us. Christ, our Lord and King, will lift us up for he has destined us for eternal glory. And when we fall short, he places people in our lives that are living and breathing "alter Christus" in our lives. The ones who personify service and love. The ones who would lay down their lives for us. The ones who inspire us to be better Christians. They are the ones that lead us to the Lord, who show us Christ's true face, and who will one day share in Christ's kingship. May we be found worthy to share in this kingship one day. All we have to do is follow Christ and the example of those who reflect him in our lives through their service.
Long live Christ the King!
