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Lectionary Notes -Reign of Christ Sunday
Readings for Reign of Christ Sunday,
11/20/05:
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1:15-23,
Matthew 25:31-46
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24:
- This is a great passage, and goes so well with the
gospel lesson for today. What vivid images of God as our shepherd!
- God's preference is clear: "I will see the lost . . . I
will strengthen the weak," and "the fat and the strong I will destroy."
Which kind of sheep are you? Compare this to Jesus' teachings about who he
came to serve.
- "I will feed them with justice." What does it mean to
be fed with justice? How do you feed your life with justice? Does working for
God's justice in the world fill you up?
Psalm 100:
- "It is God that made us, and we are [God's]; we are
[God's] people, and the sheep of [God's] pasture." Again, imagery of
being sheep in God's fold. We belong to God. We humans have a great
need to belong. The best we can belong to is God.
- "Worship the Lord with gladness." How do you worship?
Do you find joy in your worship? Meaning? How do you keep from "going through
the motions" of worship?
- "Give thanks." This is a season of Thanks-giving. How
do you give thanks? Giving thanks involves more than words - "giving" is an
action word. How do you take action to give thanks?
Ephesians 1:15-23:
- I especially like the first part of this passage,
verses 15-19. These verses sound like great words of blessing to speak on
someone, a person of faith. To pray that God grants wisdom and revelation,
enlightenment, riches of Christ's inheritance, knowledge of the immeasurable
greatness of God's power. . .
- Aside from that, this passage seems very typical of a
lot of the epistle writing. Here is set up the metaphor: Christ as the head of
the church and of the body, the church as the body of Christ, and thus under
Christ, who is over all things, filling all things.
Matthew 25:31-46:
- What passage in the gospels best describes the
standards by which we gain eternal life? This passage tells us that it is our
actions, not our words, that determines our eternal being. Do
your words and actions match? What do your actions say about what you really
believe?
- Where have you seen Christ in unusual ways? Where have
you seen Christ where you have not expected? Do you think others see Christ in
you?
- For a cute but on-target illustration, check out
"Lunch with God."
- We often think of poverty and hunger and need far away
from us. Where do poverty and hunger and need exist right in your own
community? Why is it easier to see need far-away than at home?
Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English
Lexicon from Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell”
and the Metzger et. al Greek New Testament in my translation work.)
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