Reflections for

Reign of Christ, Nov 23, 2014

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; (Psalm 95:1-7a;) Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

In the World

The war logs and the reign of Christ

Nov 15, 2010 by Steve Thorngate

Reign of Christ Sunday is not the most approachable lectionary theme. Should the focus be on the reign or the one reigning? Should preachers assume each year that most people have no idea why the feast exists? Is there a case for just glossing over it, preaching on whatever suits you, and getting on with Advent?

Living by the Word

The nations on Judgment Day

Matthew 25:31-46

Nov 18, 2008 by James Brenneman

Our eternal destinies hang on two phrases: “I was a stranger and you took me in” and “I was a stranger and you did not welcome me.” Jesus gives us two options when relating to strangers: we can welcome them into our lives or not. The Matthew 25 parable is about nations, not individuals.

Blogging Toward Sunday

On actually following a beloved passage

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 1:15-23

Nov 17, 2008 by Christian Coon

In the marketing world, a high "Q score" means that an item or brand is well known and regarded. I'm not aware that anyone rates biblical passages in this way, but if you did, Matthew 25 would have to have one of the highest Q scores—not far behind Psalm 23 at the top.

Living by the Word

Imagining Christ

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7a; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

Nov 15, 2005 by Kathleen Norris

As we approach the season of Advent, we find Ezekiel being outrageous in true prophetic style. If we pride ourselves on being spiritual seekers, Ezekiel insists that it is God who seeks us out and not the other way around. Can’t we prize the maturity of knowing who we are and of finding communities where we feel at home? Ezekiel informs us that we are in fact so lost that God must take the trouble to find and rescue us.

Living by the Word

Good shepherds

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Nov 06, 2002 by Talitha Arnold

As a child, I studied many different images of the Good Shepherd. I saw the official version every Sunday in the stained glass window above the altar at First Congregational Church in Tempe, Arizona. That shepherd was a tall, friendly-looking, 30-something man dressed in a full-length white robe. The image is probably the most familiar representation of the Good Shepherd. Yet the beautiful and peaceful image didn’t jibe with my own experience.

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Revised Common Lectionary © 1992 the Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission.