Christ the King calls us to care for the most vulnerable among us. Austin Kleman, SJ, reminds us that we don’t have to go far to find Christ in our midst. Based on the readings for Christ the King Sunday, November 26, 2023.
“Lord, when did we see you…?”
Hi, my name is Austin Kleman, and this is my One-Minute reflection.
The Gospel for today can be challenging to hear, reminding us that following Christ is more than avoiding evil and sin. Following Christ also means caring for the poor, lowly, and captive. And hearing today’s gospel, we can find ourselves wanting to abandon all possessions and give our lives to the poor, like St. Teresa of Calcutta.
But serving Christ and the least of us does not require us to leave our homes. St. Teresa of Calcutta is quoted saying, “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta… in your own homes and… families… in your workplaces and in your schools.”
We will find the least of us when we stop to look around. A friend struggling with addiction is imprisoned. A family member we’ve pushed away is a stranger. Children with disabilities may need to be fed or clothed. We must look past ourselves to care for Christ in those around us.
