THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE

READINGS AT MASS

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17

Psalm 23

1 Cor. 15:20-26, 28

Mt. 25:31-46

Theme: CHOOSING A KING

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

Today's Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the universe, ends the Liturgical Year. 

The obvious message is that at the end of everything, Jesus Christ reigns as King over all.

Kings (rulers) are powerful people. They have so much power and authority vested in them that they determine the fate of nations and the destiny of their people. With this in mind, it is imperative for individuals and nations to choose and pay allegiance to the right kings. For, bad kings with no intention to fight evil and corruption are a disaster to nations and the poor 'powerless' but good people under their reign.

In our First reading, God proposed Himself as an alternative to the human shepherds (rulers). He will be a replacement to the selfish unqualified human rulers. The main problem of the people and the entire nation at the time was leadership. They had kings who were not interested in their destiny and development. Instead of caring for and feeding the people with the resources of the land, they rather feed on the people. They had become disastrous to the very destiny of the Land. 

God promised a new and alternative Kingship as a loving Shepherd. Under His kingship, the King will search for and rescue lost sheep (His people), gather the dispersed, lead them to green pasture and bring them to rest;l seek and bandage the wounded. He will be a good and caring King whose reign will bring life and hope to the nation and its people. 

Beloved, watch the kings you choose to reign over you. Your destiny depends on it. Our main problem in today's world today is its kings. Most are hyenas leading lambs like shepherds. Those who pay allegiance to them are doomed. Jesus Christ, the King of the universe, is the best and the only alternative to the inferior kings of our world. He is a King with a shepherd's heart. His reign bring life, goodness and hope to His people. 

The Twenty Third Psalm, our Responsorial Psalm for today, speaks of the state of those who have Him (The Lord) as their Shepherd. If only we (humanity) will allow Him to reign, our story would be different. 

PRAYER

Father in heaven, your will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe. Grant that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render You service and ceaselessly proclaim Your praise. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.