Today we celebrate Christ the King. On this final Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate Jesus our true king. Jesus is our king who shepherds us to treat our neighbors with mercy and love. Jesus is our true king and judge.
 
There are leaders all around us. Jesus’ style of leadership calls us outside of ourselves to lead with compassion. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus judges us based on our acts of mercy. Jesus invites us to identify with the stranger and poor. Whether we are hungry, thirsty, or homeless, we must act with mercy towards others.
 
Jesus identifies with the least and most abandoned among us. Do we find Christ in those who are in need? Do we follow Jesus’ example of service?  
 
The heart of Jesus’ message is that as we show mercy to others, we show it to him. Jesus is our shepherd, our king, and our judge. We know that Jesus will judge and lead us with compassion and love.