The Sunday before Advent Year A 26th November 2023
Lectionary Readings
Ezekiel 34 v11-16, 20-24. The Lord is the good shepherd.
Ephesians 1 v15-23 Paul’s prayer.
Matthew 25 v31-46. The final judgement.
Judgement Time
Both Ezekiel and Matthew have been taking the religious leaders of their day to task for failing to provide authentic (God centred) leadership.
Ezekiel accuses them of taking care of themselves and ignoring the needs of the people of Israel. “You shepherds of Israel are doomed” he says (34 v2).
In response to this dereliction of duty, God says “I will look after my sheep and take care of them myself” (v11). “I will look for the lost, bandage those that are hurt and protect the ones that are weak” (v15,16).
This is followed by a warning for those who have failed to do God’s will. “I will separate the good from the bad” (v22).
In the gospel passage, Matthew recounts Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats. The parable begins with (Jesus as) the ‘Son of Man’ sitting on his royal throne ‘in his glory’ (having been granted authority over all on earth), separating those who have done God’s will from those who have not.
This final judgement not only includes religious leaders who have failed in their duty to God but also all who have opposed, or neglected to do, the will of God.
What it means to know God.
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, says he will ask God to bless them with the Spirit. “The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God”. (v17)
To Paul, ‘knowing’ God is possible via God’s gift to us of his Holy Spirit. An indwelling spirit that helps us to think straight, to have as Paul puts it, ‘the mind of Christ’. (Philippians 2 v5)
Throughout his various letters, Paul seeks to reassure new Christians that God has equipped them to do his will and granted them the resilience they need to cope with the challenges they face.
With the help of the Holy Spirit they will be able to translate ‘kingdom values’ into practical actions here on earth. (Ephesians 4 v23).
There are many Christians doing just that, today and everyday; feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, tending the sick and visiting people in prison.
Paul suggests that “All this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit who fills our hearts with love” (Romans 5 v5).
Thanks be to God for his support and encouragement.
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.