In his book The Christian Vision, John Powell, a Jesuit, recalls an old Irish legend. It goes back to the time when kings ruled Ireland. It seems that the reigning king had no children to succeed him on the throne. So he had his messengers post signs in every town and village of his kingdom inviting young men to apply for an interview with the king. This way the king hoped to be able to choose a successor before he died. Two qualities were stressed. The person must have a deep love for God and for his neighbour.

The young man, around whom the legend centres, saw one of the signs. He, indeed, had a deep love for God and neighbour. He felt a kind of inner voice telling him to apply for an interview. But the young man was so poor that he didn’t have decent clothes to wear to an interview. He also had no money to buy provisions for the long journey to the king’s castle. So after praying over the matter, he decided to beg for the clothes and the provisions he needed.

When everything was ready, he set out. After a month of travel, he arrived at the king’s castle; as he caught sight of the castle he also caught sight of a poor old beggar sitting by the side of the road. The beggar held out his hands and pleaded for help. I’m hungry and cold, he said in a weak voice. Could you give me something warm to wear and something nourishing to eat? The young man was moved by the sight of the beggar. He stripped off his warm outer clothes and exchanged them for the tattered old coat of the beggar. He also gave the beggar most of the provisions he had been carrying in his backpack for the return journey.

Then, somewhat uncertainly, he walked into the castle in tattered clothes and without enough food for his return trip. When the young man arrived at the castle, guards met him at the gate. They took him to the visitors’ area. After a long wait, the young man was led in to see the king. He bowed low before the throne. When he straightened up, the young man could hardly believe his eyes. He said to the king, you were the beggar outside the castle. That’s right, said the king. Why’d you do this to me asked the young man? I had to find out, said the king, if you really did love God and neighbour.

Even though this is a fictitious story, its point is absolutely valid. Is Christ King in our lives? We will be judged at the end of life on how well we served Christ the King in the least of our brothers and sisters.To those on the left the King will say: Depart from me for I was hungry for a smile and all I got was sour looks. I was hungry for a word of encouragement, but all you did was criticise me. I was thirsty for word of recognition but all you did was nag and give out to me. I was thirsty for a sign of friendship but you ignored me. I was a neighbour, and you wouldn’t allow me into your club because I wasn’t in your class. I was sick with doubt and worry and you never even noticed. I was wounded by failure and disappointment and you couldn’t care less. I was sunk in depression, desperately needing a message of hope, and all you did was blame me. I was a prisoner of loneliness and you gave me the cold shoulder. I was homeless for want of love and acceptance, and you locked me out of your heart. Then the king will say to those on his right hand: Come, you who have been blessed by my Father. I was hungry for a word of appreciation and you thanked me. I was thirsty for word of recognition, and you took notice of me. I was thirsty for a little companionship and you stopped to char with me. I was a stranger and you made me feel welcome. I was stripped of self-confidence and you dressed me in the cloak of confidence. I was sick with doubt and worry and with your cheerful attitude you lightened my burden. I was in a pit of depression, and by your patient attitude you gave me hope. There are lots of things that we could do if we were more aware and more sensitive. It’s not so much a question of giving things, but of giving of oneself, of our time, our energy, and our love.

Let me close with a few lines from a poem by Brewer Mattocks. It reads: The parish priest of austerity climbed up in a high church steeple to be nearer God so that he might hand His word down to His people. Then one day, indeed, he heard God speak. And he cried out from the steeple, “Where art thou, Lord?” And the Lord replied, “Down here among my people”.