The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Matthew 25:31-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me… and you did not care for me. Depart from me, go off to eternal punishment…”

Unbearable, soul wrenching, life ending, Word(s) from The BeLoved Lord.

“Depart from me....”

The endless cry from the eternal death,
One
must
hear
this Word
and re-form the habits of neglect that so subtly and readily lured one from the good.

The temptations are legion to overlook, rest, retreat, indulge the self
to neglect self sacrificing, beloving of one’s BeLoved Lord
in giving self to one’s spouse,
one’s children,
one’s coworker,
one’s neighbor,
a fellow parishioner who is suffering or on the sick list
a new and yet to be welcomed soul that is seeking Him,
a lost one, begging at the corner, bestowing His blessing,
a neighbor in death’s grip at the bar, club, or book store,
the one whose soul dies with images in song, video, print and fashion,
the imprisoned soul that longs for freedom,
the ones contemplating aborting the life of an entrusted, eternal soul.

'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'

Oh, let us hasten, the hour is now.
Let us be faithful virgins, lamps filled with the oil of blessing, eager for our bridegroom.
Let us remain eternally one in Him
through our beloving of Him
present in these ‘oft neglected’ ones
who are so precious to Him
as are we.

O Lord, Your Word of warning bemoans the unrequited Love you intend each beloved to bestow through You to waiting souls. Haunt us with this warning, that we may not miss one soul that seeks life in You. And as our souls request eternal union in You, The BeLoved’s embrace in their rejoicing redemption through your suffering will enfold us; eternally one in You. Amen.

- Mary Williams

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