WORD ALIVE FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD Tomorrow is the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. Is Christ really a king? Standing before Pontius Pilate, Christ did not deny it. But then he said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world"” (Jn 18,36).

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In his book titled, His Word Resounds, Albert Cylwicki says: “Christ's kingdom does not depend on military might, economic strength or political power. It is a spiritual kingdom that depends on faith, prayer and good works. It is a kingdom that promotes peace where there is violence, justice where there is exploitation and freedom where there is oppression.”

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In this Sunday gospel, Jesus is presented as a king who will judge us. He will decide on that final day who will or will not share his kingdom forever. It's a dreadful scene but for those who are faithful to Jesus' teachings, it will be a day of glory.

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If you read carefully the parable of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25, 31-46), you will notice that our judgment will not depend on whether you’re a genius, a Miss Universe, or the wealthiest man in the world. Obviously, these are important but the Lord is saying that wealth and talents should be shared at the service of the “least, last, and lost” of society. Hence, the question that will be asked is: How much have you done or not done for them?

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The late Mother Teresa, now a saint, was so deeply moved by Jesus’ Parable of the Last Judgment that she left behind her work in a school and devoted her whole life helping the poorest of the poor. She said, “I want to go to Heaven that’s why I follow Jesus’ teaching, devoting my life for the poor.”

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Of course, not all of us can emulate the difficult work of the late Mother Teresa. But we must always have the spirit of charity that moves us to do works of mercy. This was the life led by the Lord “who went about doing good” (Acts 10,38). St. James reinforces that when he said: “Faith, without works, is dead.”

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Doing good could mean providing one’s helpers and workers security for their old age (SSS), sick leave or housing benefits. It’s very inspiring that there are some proprietors of vast malls who, as an act of charity, support the scholarship of numerous students coming from poor families. May these “Good Samaritans” increase.

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The feast of Christ the King is a reminder of the Lord's second coming and Final Judgment; likewise, it is a challenge to do more good for the “least of Christ’s brethren.”

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The lighter side.  A man confided to his friend, “I went to see my doctor about my heart ailment. He told me to change my lifestyle. No smoking, no drinking, no meat.” “So, what happened, did you change your lifestyle?” The friend said. “No…I changed my doctor,” he replied.

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Lesson: Isn’t that our attitude towards God sometimes? We change him if we don’t like his “prescriptions” because they’re hard to swallow, like forgiving an enemy, living with an unlovable spouse, being morally straight. If you don’t like Him, there’s always someone waiting — the devil.

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Birthday. Dear Readers, today, Nov. 19, I celebrate my birthday. May I request a birthday gift that’s not for me but for the seminarians we’re supporting under the Adopt-A-Seminarian scholarship program; also the indigent sick, like four-year-old asthmatic Joshel C. and five-year-old Alison Genesis L. who’s sick with leukemia. Whatever amount you can donate will be highly blessed by the Lord. For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected]. Thank you!