Proper 29 Yr C
Reign of Christ
Alma Thomas, The Eclipse (1970). Downloaded 01062022 from Smithsonian America website.
Published date 11/16/2022
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
""Amen" (Revelation 5:14) is a small word, but it signifies a great deal. It means, "so be it." When we say it we signal our assent to what has gone before. In this passage it functions as an affirmation of Christ's role in the unfolding drama of Revelation. But it also functions—for John, for the elders, and for us—as a way of affirming our trust and confidence in God. It says that we are open to whatever God has in store for us. That is no small confession of faith under the circumstances of any age. We might prefer to know exactly what is ahead before we set off on a journey into eternity. Yet we can set off on that journey with confidence, not because we know what is ahead but because we know who we are with. Finally, we agree to go because we know that God—our God—is in charge. The kingdom of this world will indeed become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever. Knowing that is enough. It is enough to enable us to take the first step on our journey and all the steps thereafter. It is enough to enable us to say with joy and confidence, "Come, Lord Jesus." It is enough to enable us to sing with Handel, over and over again, "Amen." So be it."
©Carol Bechtel Reynolds in Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel's Messiah, the Kerygma program resource book, p. 102.
Introduction
The end of the church year—often called “Christ the King”—The Reign of Christ is upon us. The Christ who is foretold. The Christ is the forever King. The psalm appointed is uplifting and reminds us what God does for us. Be sure to see the anthem version of this psalm.
Share your thoughts.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; God shall help her at the break of day.
The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, what awesome things he has done on earth.
It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
From sermon4kids.com: “When the day came for his trial, the King stood before the people. Instead of shouting “Hail to the King, Long live the King!” they shouted, “Crucify Him! He is not our king! Crucify Him!” . . . After He was crucified, they took His body and put it in a borrowed tomb. . . . Wait, that isn’t the end of the story. . . . This King rose from the grave to live forever. . . . He is the Forever King. He is the King to anyone who chooses Him to be their King. Oh, there are still some people who call Him “King Backward,” but those who know Him don’t call Him that . . . they call him King Jesus!”
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). A visual/audio journey.
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?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 2 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press)
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.
Eye Candy: From Wikipedia, we learn that Pantocrator has dual meaning: Yahweh Sabaoth and El Shaddai. So here are many depictions of Christ Pantocrator”: 6th century; 12th century; 13th century icon; 15th century; 21st century.
Ear Worm: “King ever glorious“, from Stainer’s “The Crucifixion”; “Worthy is the Lamb“, by Pepper Choplin sung by choir from India; “The Kingdom of God is justice and peace“, Taize community; “God is our refuge and strength“, sung by the Hour of Power choir.
Brain Food: “King of the world“, a reflection by Neil Chappell; “Christ the King, Christ the Head“, a reflection by Paul Bellan-Boyer;
Thanksgiving Prayer
“Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!”
Parables: “Chariots of Fire“, “ultimate allegiance”; “End of Days” (1997), satan trying to take over the world; “12 Monkeys” (1995), “weird meditation”
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.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.