Proper 29 Yr C
God Remembers

Scripture: November 20, 2022 (Proper 29—Reign of Christ—Jeremiah 23:1-6 (image); Canticle 16 (image); Psalm 46 (image); Colossians 1:11-20 (image); and Luke 23:33-43 (image). 

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: 

Track 1: The prophet Jeremiah warns of shepherds who will destroy and scatter God’s people (Jer. 23:1–2). How do we discern the difference between shepherds who have come to scatter and shepherds who have been raised up by God? How do the stories of Zechariah’s prophecy and Jesus’ crucifixion affirm the ways we declare the kingship of Jesus? Paul declares that peace was made through the blood of the cross (Col. 1:20). How do we think about the inherent violence in the crucifixion? Is there a way to reconcile the call to be peacemakers with this statement that peace comes through the blood of the cross?

Track 2: Jesus asks God to forgive those who crucified him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” What does it mean to offer forgiveness to others before they are aware of their offense?

Practice: How many times have you forgiven someone before they realized there was an offense? How many times have you been forgiven for an offense you did not realize you gave? (see Reflection above) If you are inclined, share.

For families: Study guide and activities (former guide); group activities; snack, kid video.

For children: See family guide/activities (other activities—one and two); bulletin; craft;

For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activities—one and two; bulletin; craft.

Coloring: Luke, Crucifixion 

For youth: As we end the church year, we hear again the promise of the life Christ offers to us. Our new life is rooted in love and grace. I wonder how we are claiming God’s love and grace? I wonder how we live differently knowing that Christ is King? Where do we see God’s love and grace? Where do we see the gospel of liberation being lived out today?

If you choose, share your thoughts.

Today is the final Sunday of the church year. It is the celebration of the reign of Christ over all creation. The gospel reading presents Christ’s kingship in its most dramatic moment, when he rules over the earth from his cross. At this moment when he seemed the most despised and rejected of people, he forgives the penitent thief crucified with him and promises that he would be with him in paradise. This is the central paradox of the Christian proclamation. Our eternal ruler revealed his power by putting power aside and dying to save the world he created.

The first reading from Jeremiah brings God’s condemnation on the rulers of Judah who are evil shepherds. God will come in person to gather all the lost sheep who had been betrayed by those unworthy shepherds. God will be the shepherd of the people and will raise up a righteous king from the family of David to care for the people. For the first Christians, this reading was taken to refer to Jesus.

In the letter to the Colossians, the writer uses what is though to have been an early Christian hymn to express his most exalted statement of the cosmic meaning of the Christ. Jesus Christ is the fullness of God, the source and origin of all that is, and the saving ruler of the universe who seals his rule with the blood of his cross.

In the Eucharist, we bring all the world into the risen presence of its Lord, that the world through him might be saved. Here we acclaim the ruler and sovereign of all things who is also our savior, our brother, and our lover.