Daily Readings - Sun Nov 26 2023
Ezekiel
11"'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.12As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.15I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.16I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.17"'As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.
1 Corinthians
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, 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 he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Matthew
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to 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.