Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: We Need the Poor More than They Need Us

In today's Gospel on this last Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus gives us a vision of the final judgment and the sheep being separated from the goats. What is the standard that separates those going to eternal life and those going to eternal damnation? It's the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners. Why is this the standard we might ask? Jesus tells us that it's because what we do for the poor and needy, we do for him. So when we choose to serve them or not serve them, we are actually choosing whether to serve Christ or not serve Him. Hence it is on this point that we will be judged.