Articles

Feb. 23, 2026

Gospel Reflection: Vigilance and Hope

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Monday of the First Week of Lent

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:31–32

Throughout history, rulers have vied for power, and countless wars have been fought over ambitions for political control. Even in modern democracies, there is constant strife over who should lead. Yet, in the end, there will be only one King Who will sit upon His glorious throne forever.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that although civil governance plays an important role in our earthly lives, we must never lose sight of the One Eternal King. When Jesus returns in all His glory, accompanied by the entire Celestial Hierarchy of Heaven, all justice and righteousness will be fully established. Each of us will appear before Him as Judge. At that moment, and for eternity, only one thing will matter: How did I live while on earth?

Too often, the temptation to live as though this life is an end in itself dominates us. When faced with injustice, we may respond with anger. When our preferred political party is not in power, we can become disillusioned, considering it a tragedy. Many are seduced into believing that accumulating more material goods leads to greater happiness, and poverty or simplicity is undesirable, a sign of failure. Yet, in the end, one thing alone will matter and one thing alone will endure—charity.

In the passage above, Jesus uses the image of a shepherd separating sheep from goats. This familiar image to the people of His time depicts the end of the age. During the day, a shepherd often allowed sheep and goats to graze together, just as God permits all people—the righteous and the unrighteous—to live in this world together. But at night, the shepherd would separate the sheep from the goats. Sheep, being more docile, obedient, and faithful, represent those who live according to God’s will. Goats, often more unruly and independent, symbolize those who live selfishly.

The contrast is striking. Faith, hope, and charity are not abstract ideas; they are supernatural virtues that win for us a place in the eternal Kingdom of God. Self-centered living, worldly ambitions, and unruly passions extinguish these virtues, leading to God’s judgment and condemnation at the end of time.

Knowing these truths should instill vigilance and hope in us. Vigilance will help us remain faithful members of God’s true Kingdom, living out charity toward God and others. Hope will inspire us to live with an eternal perspective. Worldly ambitions will pass with this life. But if our hope is set on the eternal Kingdom, it will lead us to holiness and a deeper union with God.

Reflect today on the eternal promises our Lord makes to us. At the end of time, He will separate the sheep from the goats. We must never forget that while God is perfectly merciful, He is also perfectly just. If His mercy is not embraced through repentance and conversion, His justice must be satisfied in the end. But if His mercy is embraced, it perfectly fulfills justice, and we will live with Him as our King and Shepherd forever.

My merciful and just King, at the end of time, You will return with all Your angels to judge the living and the dead, establishing Your eternal Kingdom. I pray that I will be counted among Your sheep. Please grant me the grace of humility and repentance so that I may grow in love for You and in charity toward all. Jesus, I trust in You.

Audio recording: https://youtu.be/lP42MzXiDH4?si=YuaoeLDwxTFClXCn