Pastor Desk OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Nov 19 2023

From the Pastor Desk –

He will sit on the throne of his glory and separate one from another”.

We come to the end of the liturgical year with the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This Sunday’s readings place before our eyes the figure of a shepherd-king who devotes himself to his flock, who dies for it, so that it may have life, and who knows each of his sheep. Thus, the prophet Ezekiel presents God as the shepherd of his people, whom he cares for, feeds and protects. In the Gospel, Jesus is king and judge who, like the shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, in his coming at the end of time will judge everyone according to the love that each one has shown to the least of these. The destiny of those blessed by the Father is eternal life, inaugurated by Christ with his resurrection.

The history of salvation is also and essentially the history of man’s progressive liberation from all that humiliates and debases him. However, the fullness of salvation will only be obtained at the end. In the meantime, we must never declare victory, but always continue the struggle with courage, with the hope of the resurrection as the culmination of the whole process of liberation.

This is, paradoxically enough, the parable of the “believing atheists” and the “unbelieving atheists”. Neither of them were aware that, in fighting for the poor, the oppressed, the prisoner, they were fighting for Christ. For every person hears a mysterious voice that urges him to love his neighbor above all else.

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that the Lord’s message also contains words of hope: Christ will return in glory and history will have a happy ending. However, this second coming will not happen immediately. While the moment arrives, it is necessary to be vigilant and committed, because the future is built from the present.

The Word of God has illuminated, during this liturgical year that we are ending today, our hope and has stimulated us to live committed to those most in need. Jesus Christ, the King who gave his life for the salvation of the universe, gives us the gift of eternal life, which we accept or reject in our daily experience of the commandment of love. We ask the Lord of our lives to engrave in us his image so that we may be able to see and love him in every brother who walks beside us.

For reflection, “When did he come to you hungry or thirsty, stranger or naked, sick or in prison: who would be today’s hungry,stranger, imprisoned…how does this Sunday’s Gospel engage us with them?”

Thank you all for your generosity and for being part of this beautiful Blessed Sacrament Community.

Greetings at home to all; with my love and blessing,Blessings,
Father Gabriel Jaime Toro R – Pastor

Llegamos al final del año litúrgico con la Solemnidad de Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. Las lecturas de este domingo ponen ante nuestra mirada la figura de un rey-pastor que se desvive por su rebaño, que muere por él, para que tenga vida, y que conoce a cada una de sus ovejas. Así, el profeta Ezequiel, nos presenta a Dios como el pastor de su pueblo, al que cuida, alimenta y protege. En el Evangelio, Jesús es rey y juez que, como el pastor que separa las ovejas de los cabritos, en su venida final de los tiempos juzgará a todos según el amor que cada uno ha mostrado con los más pequeños. El destino de los benditos del Padre es la vida eterna,inaugurada por Cristo con su resurrección.

La historia de la salvación es también y esencialmente la historia de la liberación progresiva del hombre respecto de todo lo que lo humilla y rebaja. Sin embargo, la plenitud de la salvación solamente se obtendrá al final. Mientras tanto, nunca se debe cantar victoria, sino seguir siempre animosamente en la lucha, con la esperanza de la resurrección como remate de todo el proceso deliberación.

Esta es, aunque parezca paradójico, la parábola de los “ateos creyentes” y de los “ateos incrédulos”. Ni unos ni otros eranconscientes de que, al luchar en favor del pobre, del oprimido, del preso, luchaban a favor de Cristo. Y es que todo hombre escuchauna voz misteriosa, que lo impulsa a amar al prójimo por encima de todo.

El Evangelio de este domingo nos recuerda que el mensaje del Señor también hay palabras de esperanza: Cristo volverá con gloria y la historia tendrá un final feliz. Ahora bien, esta segunda venida no sucederá enseguida. Mientras llega el momento, es necesario vigilar y comprometerse, porque el futuro se construye desde el presente.

La Palabra de Dios ha iluminado, durante este año litúrgico que hoy terminamos, nuestra esperanza y nos ha estimulado a vivir comprometidos con los más necesitados. Jesucristo, el rey que ha dado su vida para la salvación del universo, nos regala la vidaeterna, que acogemos o rechazamos en nuestra experiencia diaria del mandamiento del amor. Le pedimos al Señor de nuestras vidasque grabe en nosotros su imagen para que seamos capaces de verle y amarle en cada hermano que camina a nuestro lado.

Para reflexionar: “¿cuándo te vino hambriento o sediento, forastero o desnudo, enfermo o en la cárcel?: ¿quiénes serían hoy los hambrientos, forastero, encarcelados…? ¿cómo nos compromete con ellos el Evangelio de este domingo?”

Mil Gracias a todos por su generosidad y por hacer parte de esta hermosa Comunidad del Santísimo Sacramento.