Daily Readings - Sun Nov 26 2023
Ezekiel
11"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.12As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.15I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.16I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.17"As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.
1 Corinthians
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.28When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
Matthew
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'40And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'44Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'45Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God's profound care for His people and our responsibility to act with compassion. In Ezekiel, God is portrayed as a shepherd who seeks out His scattered flock, rescuing and caring for them, emphasizing His justice and mercy. This imagery underscores God's active role in restoring His people, especially during their exile, promising them hope and renewal.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul discusses the victory of Christ's resurrection, which conquers death and paves the way for believers' future resurrection. This passage reassures us of God's ultimate triumph, where Christ will reign until all things are subjected to Him, and death itself is defeated. This victory gives us hope and motivation to live in a way that honors God.
The Gospel from Matthew vividly describes the Last Judgment, where the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats based on their treatment of the needy. This teaching highlights that serving the least among us is equivalent to serving Christ. It challenges us to recognize Christ in everyone, especially the vulnerable, and to act with compassion.
These readings connect through the theme of God's care and our response. Ezekiel's shepherd and Matthew's judgment both emphasize caring for others as a reflection of our relationship with God. Corinthians provides the hope that sustains us as we live out this compassion.
In daily life, we are called to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and welcome strangers, recognizing Christ in each action. Our treatment of others has eternal implications, urging us to live with mercy and justice. The moral lesson is clear: our love for God is evident in how we treat His children, especially the most vulnerable. Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions reflect the love and care of the Good Shepherd.