In the form of a parable, Jesus describes the final judgment of the nations. The Lord appears surrounded by angels and is seated on his royal throne. Before him are all the nations of the world, which he separates as a shepherd separates the sheep and the goats. The king invites those whom he divided on his right to inherit his heavenly kingdom and to those on his left to enter eternal punishment.

Today marks the first day the Church asks us to begin our preparation for Great Lent. She prepares us through the four Gospels read at the Divine Liturgy each Sunday preceding the first day of Great Lent.