Sunday, November 22, 2026 — The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
The sheep and the goats
Matthew 25:31-46
The Gospel
Jesus describes the Son of Man coming in his glory to sit on his throne and judge all the nations, separating them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. To those on his right the King will say to inherit the kingdom, for they fed him when he was hungry, welcomed him as a stranger, and visited him sick and in prison; to those on his left he will say to depart, for they did not. Whatever was done for one of the least of his brothers was done for him.
Readings of the day: First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-2a, 2b-3, 5, 6; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Alleluia: Mark 11:9, 10; Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46.
Reflection
On the last Sunday of the year the Church sets before us the King on his throne, separating the sheep from the goats. The criterion is startlingly simple: six works of mercy, which Remigius counts in the Gospel: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the imprisoned. St. John Chrysostom notes that the King does not say “Receive” but “inherit,” as something due to them from of old. The righteous are surprised; they did not know they were serving the King. That is the point: the King hides himself in the least of his brothers, and whatever is done for them is done for him. The year ends with a question for every day that follows: where did I meet the King today, in the hungry, the stranger, the sick, the prisoner, and what did I do?
From the Fathers
“Observe that He says not ‘Receive,’ but possess, or inherit, as due to you from of old.”
— St. John Chrysostom, Homily 79 on Matthew, in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 25:31–45
“And it is to be noted, that the Lord here enumerates six works of mercy which whoso shall study to accomplish shall be entitled to the kingdom prepared for the chosen from the foundation of the world.”
— Remigius of Auxerre, in the Catena Aurea on Matthew 25:31–45
Saint of the day
Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr, patroness of musicians. Her memorial, kept on November 22, is superseded today by the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, established by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
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Sources: the day’s readings follow the daily lectionary (USCCB, Lectionary 160). The Gospel text is not reproduced here; read it at the link above. Patristic quotes: Catena Aurea on Matthew 25:31–45, compiled by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by John Henry Newman (1841, public domain).