Christ the King

Thought for parish pew slip – Sunday 23rd November 2008
Christ the King – Year A

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

While God’s people Israel are suffering during their terrible exile in Babylon in the 6th Century BC, the prophet Ezekiel speaks to them with a message of hope. He tells of a time when God himself will come to shepherd his flock, the people of Israel, and to gather them together once again in their own land. God will judge between sheep and sheep, and David will rule over them. Christians see this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus who is the Good Shepherd, the Son of God and a descendent of David.
In our reading from Ephesians, Paul emphasises the great hope to which God calls us; the riches of a glorious inheritance and the immeasurable greatness of God’s power. This power was put to work in Christ who is now high above all power and dominion.
In our gospel reading Jesus tells us about the final judgement to take place at the end of time. We will be judged according to how well we have treated Jesus present in the people around us. Have we helped the people around us in practical ways, seeking their good, or have we ignored them, thinking only of ourselves?