The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
11/22/2026 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
44 Then they will answer and say, ‘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?’
45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
11/22/2026 (Sunday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 25:31-46
Theme: Living a Life of Accountability
Life is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. Every day, God gives us opportunities to make choices, touch lives, and make a difference in the world. Yet sometimes, we become so occupied with our personal ambitions, material possessions, and daily struggles that we forget an important truth: One day, we will be accountable for how we have lived our lives.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus presents a powerful picture of the final judgment. He describes how people will be separated according to how they treated others, particularly those who were hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, and imprisoned. What makes this teaching remarkable is that the basis of judgment is not simply what people profess to believe, but how they demonstrate their faith through their actions.
We can understand this message through the word KING.
K – Keep Your Conscience Alive
Accountability begins with an awakened conscience. We must constantly examine our intentions, decisions, and actions. Are we choosing what is right or simply what is convenient? Are we treating people with dignity, or are we using them for our own advantage?
It is easy to justify our mistakes, blame circumstances, or point fingers at others. But genuine accountability requires the courage to recognize our shortcomings. We cannot grow spiritually if we refuse to acknowledge where we have failed. Let us keep our conscience alive, allowing God’s wisdom to guide our choices even when nobody is watching.
I – Invest in the Lives of Others
God does not measure our greatness by the wealth we accumulate, the positions we hold, or the recognition we receive. He looks at how we use what we have to improve the lives of others.
Every act of kindness is an investment in God’s kingdom. Feeding someone who is hungry, comforting someone who is grieving, visiting someone who is lonely, and helping someone who has lost hope are meaningful expressions of faith.
We do not need extraordinary resources to make an extraordinary difference. Sometimes, a little time, a sincere conversation, or a helping hand can change someone’s day. Let us remember that what we give to others in love is never wasted.
N – Never Neglect Those in Need
One of the most challenging lessons in this Gospel is that neglect can be just as serious as wrongdoing. We may never have intentionally hurt anyone, but have we ignored someone who needed our help?
Indifference can become a dangerous habit. We see suffering but look away. We hear someone’s cry but remain silent. We recognize injustice but choose not to get involved.
We must understand that being a good Christian is not merely about avoiding evil. It is also about actively doing good. Our responsibility extends beyond our families and friends to those who are forgotten, vulnerable, and struggling.
G – Give an Account to God
Ultimately, every life has a destination, and every decision carries consequences. Our earthly achievements will eventually fade, but the love we have shared and the lives we have touched will remain meaningful.
When we stand before God, our titles, possessions, and accomplishments will not speak louder than the way we treated His people. We cannot hide behind religious appearances or claim faith without demonstrating it through compassion.
Accountability should not make us afraid of tomorrow. Instead, it should inspire us to live meaningfully today.
Let us remember: We are not simply living to enjoy the blessings God gives us; we are also responsible for sharing those blessings with others.
The question is not how much we have accomplished, but how much good we have done with the opportunities entrusted to us.
Let us live with a KING-sized responsibility: Keep our conscience alive, Invest in the lives of others, Never neglect those in need, and Give an account to God with a heart full of love.
Because in the end, a life well-lived is not measured by what we have received, but by what we have given.
Go here to read further Gospel reflection.
