This is the last Sunday of the year… but next week is the first. It’s the end, but also the beginning. The last Sunday of Ordinary Time each year is now celebrated as the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. In giving us this feast, the Church is helping to remind us where we are headed. Just as we began this month celebrating all the saints in heavenly glory, so we end November with another image of our final end. We see Christ in glory and know that we are called to join those around the throne bowing down in worship.
But heaven isn’t just about “the end.” Knowing where we are going should make a big difference in how we live right now. How do you make decisions for yourself and your family? Hopefully, you’re trying to do “good” things and avoid “bad” things. That’s a start, but how do you know which good things to do? And how many good things should you do? In evaluating any important decision, we should always keep in mind our final end. Is what I’m doing helping me get to heaven or not?
God has actually given us not just a day each year, but a day each week to step back and see the big picture. He commands us to keep holy the Sabbath. We need this to make sure we don’t lose sight of what the week and life are all about. If we just chase after good things without ordering them to their proper end, then we will wind up not happy but busy.
So this week in between the end and the beginning of two Church years is a good time to look at the way you spend your time and ultimately your life. Are the things in your life helping you reach your final end? If changes need to be made, then the good news is that as we look to the end, it’s also a chance for a new beginning.