A WORD FOR TODAY 22 NOVEMBER 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

DO GOOD TO OTHERS AND YOU WILL LIVE WITH THE KING IN HEAVEN

_“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations" (Matthew 25:31-32)_

_*Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the king of the universe. It is the last Sunday of the liturgical year and by next sunday we go into a new year in the Church.*_

_The Church’s liturgical year which began on the first Sunday of advent takes us through the various stages in Jesus life and mission. His nativity, passion, suffering, death and resurrection, ascension into heaven, the Pentecost and back to the ordinary time are seasons in the life of the Church when our faith is nurtured and made to grow strong._

_*This feast honours Christ’s sovereignty over all persons, families, nations, and the whole universe. It affirms the messianic kingship of Christ who redeemed humanity by the blood.*_

_In the first reading of today, the Lord says that He will take over the work of Shepherding the flock from the shepherds who have failed in their duties. He is a king like no other and no other earthly kingship or kingdom can compare with his own._

_*St. Paul notes in the second reading that Jesus Christ must be king until He has subjected all His enemies under his feet and the last enemy to be destroyed is death. We must note here that the enemies of God are not humans but the forces of evil that cause pain, suffering, slavery, hatred. They make use of human beings to actualise their evil plans.*_

_Jesus Christ was proclaimed king at his birth and death.( Matthew 2:2 where is he who has been born king of the Jews for we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. John 19:19 INRI- Jesus the king of the Jews)_

_*Jesus Christ came to establish a kingdom. Mark 1: 15 the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.*_

_Christ's kingdom is spiritual, universal and eternal and it is opposed to the kingdom of the devil. (John 18:36 My kingdom is not of this world)_

_*If we are going to reign with Jesus in His kingdom in heaven, then we must let His love motivate us to do good to people here on earth, because that is the only condition by which to gain admission into eternal life in heaven on the last day.*_

_Give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison, welcome the stranger and be kind to them and you will be welcomed into heaven on the last day. God is happy when we help others and this help must be sacrificial without any strings attached._

_*If Jesus reigns in your heart, then you will love as He has loved us and you will be disposed to die for others and do good to them as He has done to you and the door of heaven will be opened for you.*_

_Good morning dearest one😊Smile as you begin your day and do have a beautiful Sunday. May Jesus Christ reign in your heart so that you will do good in His name. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17/Psalm 23:1-6/1 Corinthians 15:20-26,28/Matthew 25:31-46

*Watch-Word:* The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

*We shall be judged at the end of time, not by what we possess or how often we prayed, but by by how well we served Christ the king in our neighbour, especially our brothers and sisters who are poor.*

(Thirty fourth Sunday of the Year. Cycle A. Solemnity of Christ the king.)