"Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world."
MATTHEW 25:34
These words resonate with hope and promise, inviting us to a divine inheritance beyond our earthly existence. They remind us of the eternal love and grace that await those who follow a path of compassion, kindness, and selflessness.
In this profound invitation, we find solace and encouragement—a reminder that our actions matter, and that even small acts of goodness contribute to a greater purpose. May we strive to be blessings to others, sharing love and light in a world that often yearns for both. As we journey through life, may we embrace the legacy of kindness, empathy, and generosity, knowing that the kingdom prepared for us transcends time and space.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 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. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 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. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 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.’ 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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
The lost—the ones who wander aimlessly—are sought out, their path illuminated by unwavering love. The strayed—the ones who veer off course—are gently guided back, their steps retraced with patience. The injured—the wounded souls—are tenderly bound up, their hurts acknowledged and soothed. The sick—the ailing hearts—are healed, their brokenness made whole.
Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord God, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17)
Yet, there is a stark contrast—the sleek and the strong. These, too, are shepherded, but their fate is different. Their strength, when misused, becomes their downfall. Their sleekness, when devoid of compassion, leads to destruction. And so, the shepherd’s role is multifaceted: protector, healer, guide, and, when necessary, executor of justice. In this intricate dance, he tends to each sheep, knowing their unique needs and vulnerabilities.
These words echo with the wisdom of a compassionate shepherd, tending to his flock. In their poetic cadence, we glimpse the delicate balance between mercy and justice, care and discipline. May we, too, embrace this balance—extending grace to the lost, strength to the weak, and discernment to shepherd rightly. For within these words lies a profound call to compassion, justice, and stewardship of souls.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6)
These timeless words, penned by the psalmist, resonate across generations. They evoke a sense of trust, comfort, and divine care—a shepherd tending to his flock. In the lush green pastures, we find rest—a respite from life’s demands. Beside tranquil waters, our souls are rejuvenated, and weariness dissipates. The shepherd’s guidance is unwavering, leading us along righteous paths, safeguarding our well-being. These verses transcend literal interpretation. They speak to our spiritual hunger, our thirst for meaning, and our longing for guidance. Whether in times of joy or adversity, they remind us that we are cared for, led, and known by a loving Shepherd. May these words continue to resonate within us, guiding our steps and comforting our hearts.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28)
Jesus being ‘subject to God’ holds deep theological significance. This refers to the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where Christ’s authority is acknowledged, and God’s supremacy is fully realized.
The Greek word used for “subjected” is hypotassÅ, which means to arrange under, submit, or place in subordination. It implies a voluntary submission, not coercion. It’s not about inferiority but rather alignment with divine purposes. Jesus is both fully divine (the eternal Son of God) and fully human (incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth). His submission to the Father occurs within the context of His humanity.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will. He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His obedience was an expression of love and alignment with God’s plan for redemption. The Father-Son relationship within the Trinity is eternal. Jesus, as the Son, has always been in perfect harmony with the Father.
His submission doesn’t diminish His deity but highlights His role in redemption. After the final victory (including defeating death), Jesus will subject all things to God.
It’s not a permanent change in His divine nature but a fulfillment of His mission. Jesus’ submission to God is a beautiful interplay of love, obedience, and divine plan. It doesn’t diminish His deity but underscores His role as the obedient Son who leads us to the Father.
The goal is that “God may be all in all.” This points to cosmic reconciliation, where God’s reign is absolute, and every heart aligns with His will. Jesus’ submission contributes to this ultimate purpose.
“God is all in all” points to a future where God’s love, justice, and glory prevail. A time when God’s supremacy is fully realized. It invites us to participate in this divine plan by aligning our lives with His purposes. In summary, it’s a vision of cosmic reconciliation—a time when God’s reign is absolute, and every heart echoes, ‘God is all things to me.’
Pericope:
VI: Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem
THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS
Matthew 25:31-46
IV: Salvation for Israel
PARABLE OF THE SHEPHERDS / SEPARATION OF THE SHEEP
Ezekiel 34:1-16/17-31
First Book of Psalms 1-41
THE LORD, SHEPHERD AND HOST
Psalm 23:1-6
V: The Resurrection - B. The Resurrection of the Dead
CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Reflection Source:
Microsoft Bing
