On Sunday 22 November we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe. This cosmic-sounding title conceals the fact that Christ, who acts as judge on the last day, can be found every day in the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers. Thus we read in the gospel of that day (Mt 25:31-46). This is aptly portrayed by the Master of Alkmaar in The Seven Works of Mercy from 1540 in the Rijksmuseum. On this image the following works are depicted: giving food, giving drink, giving clothes. All this takes place in a late-medieval Dutch city. The benefactors are wealthy citizens, dressed according to the fashion of the time. The benefactors also look like fifteenth-century citizens, except for one who has inconspicuously joined the group of needy people: that is Jesus who identifies with them.
Pastor of this weekend: Peter van Dael SJ