Our Final Exam! Heaven made Easy!
Today we conclude the liturgical year A with the solemnity of Christ the King, the Alpha and the Omega. In our various readings, Christ as the King is: -- The Good Shepherd who takes care and leads his sheep (Ezekiel 34; Ps23); -- The Risen Christ through whom all believers will also rise (1 Corinthians 15:20-26); -- The Judge of all people and all nations on the basis of how we treat one another (Mt 25:31-46). Jesus gives us the areas of focus for our final exam. How do I prepare for the final coming of Christ?
A story is told of a young man who was drowning into the water. An older man saw him and saved him. A few years later the same young man broke into a jewelry store and was caught and was taken to jail. As he appeared to the judge, he recognized the man who saved him when he was drowning in the river. He said to himself: “Thanks be to God. This man saved me several years ago. If he could risk his life to save me when I was drowning. I know he will do everything within his power to save me”. Eventually, the judgement was passed and the young man was found guilty and was sentenced to prison. Then he cried out to the judge and said: “ Have you forgotten me. I am the same young man you saved from drowning few years ago. Please save me” and the Judge said: “yes I remember you. But on that day, you were drowning, I came to you as your savior, today I am here as your Judge”
St. John of the Cross reminds us that: “in the Evening of our life, we will be judged on love.” Our seat in heaven will depend on our capacity to do the works of mercy in the name of Christ. The way we treat one another, especially the most vulnerable and the less privileged will determine our destination. Our capacity of seeing Christ’s image in every human person and our capability of loving Christ through our neighbor is the right key to the eternal kingdom. Christ says: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you did it to me”. Each one of us is now expected to be Christ-Jesus, so to not look down at anyone. Remember the story of St. Martin de Tours, a Bishop born in Hungary 316. He was raised in Italy where he was a soldier and Christian. While still not a Christian, he divided his cloak, and gave half to a poor man. His fellows mocked him. Later, he had a vision of Christ with that man’s face. Christ was wearing half of his cloak. So, do see Christ in the poor everywhere, in your spouse, in your parents, in your children, in your neighbors, in your friends. See in them today, the Christ you wish to see in heaven tomorrow!
Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to help us see you in every human person. Help us to stay focused on our journey! You are the First and the Last. Come Lord Jesus, reign in our lives! Be our KING forever!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac