34^th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Christ the King!

Opening Prayer

Our Lord and Shepherd,

You shelter us and keep us safe from harm;

You tend to our hurts and heal our wounds;

You lead us in ways which may seem rough, but you NEVER leave us!

Though evil may lurk in the shadows; YOU protect us!

May we learn from your example and care for others with love and compassion.

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17

• How can you relate God to a shepherd? In what ways does God shelter you?  Tend to your needs?  Heal your wounds?
• Where do you see God “scattered among the sheep”? What image(s) come to mind?

1Corinthians 15:20-26, 28

• What does this scripture mean by the phrase “destroy death”? How did Jesus destroy death?  How do you or could you help to make this statement true in your life?
• Have you seen examples of “enemies under foot”? Reflect on how God might want you to use these examples to show how He conquers death.

Matthew 25:31-46

• Imagine yourself in this scripture. Where do you see yourself?  Reflect back on the past year and identify times when you had the opportunity to do these things; did you do them?
• How does this scripture make you feel? What does it tell you about God?
• Why does the Catholic Church celebrate Christ the King (Solemnity of Jesus) the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year (this weekend)? What significance does it hold?  Why would this particular Gospel be the reading for this celebration each and every year?  What might this motivate you to do?  Are there “new year’s resolutions” you might work on for this coming year?

General Questions for Journaling

• How are you like a shepherd? A leader?  How do you lead?
• What qualities of a shepherd do you emulate? Which ones would you like to work on?
• How can serious illness or death challenge your faith?
• Have you experienced a restoration of life? What is needed to restore life?  Where do you see the need for life to be restored?
• Why would Jesus come, not as a King but as a Servant?
• Can you relate better to the poor and suffering or the rich and powerful? Share how it is easy or difficult to relate to both.
• When was the last time you gave to another? How did this experience affect you?
• Consider how you could make time to volunteer in a big or small way. Set a goal to volunteer a couple days a year, a few hours a month or more regularly.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Christ Jesus, you show your strength by giving to the weak;

ALL:  YOU alone are power!

Leader:  Christ Jesus, you shine your light through our darkness;

ALL:  YOU alone are splendor!

Leader:  Christ Jesus, you direct our path to salvation;

ALL:  YOU alone are righteous!

Leader:Christ Jesus, you bore a crown of thorns & have a cross for a throne;

ALL:  YOU alone are KING!

Challenge for the Week:   Sheep rely on their sense of smell to stay close to the flock.  Reflect this week on how you should do the same.  Are those you are close to faithful to their walk with Jesus and work to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy listed in the Gospel?  Can you identify some goats mixed in among your flock?  Are you deceived by some wolves in sheep’s clothing; one who might smell like a sheep and look like a sheep on the outside but truly doesn’t live out Christian values?  Could you be a goat or a wolf?  Also consider how the ninety-nine sheep whom are left behind know what to do while the shepherd goes in search of the one he lost.  Jesus knows these sheep will not go astray while He is gone because they have one another.  If you believe you are one of the ninety-nine, what keeps you from going astray?  Could you be the one He seeks?  Have you lost your sense of smell?