What a beautiful picture this passage offers of Christ the King. Maybe we need to relook at this passage in light of the events of today.
JB in MB
I see so much material which could be developed into a sermon here. I think I will focus on the theme of reconciliation. Using the title "God's Mission Statement," I will simply talk about the fact that God's goal is to reconcile all things unto himself. It's quite a goal, one that only God can pull off. -Dale in Chattanooga
There are so many events and issues that pull us apart. Politics, war, economic downturns, and competition pit neighbor against neighbor. Though September 11 gave us some unity against a common enemy, the divisive elements are still around. We are still in a mess; we are still a mess.
We need a savior, one who can hold things together. We are intelligent, sophisticated, ingenius, creative, wealthy and powerful. But we are also self-centered, envious, dysfunctional, and powerless over our own problems. We really do need a savior.
God has seen fit to provide what we could not provide for ourselves, an inheritance of the saints in the light, redemption, forgiveness of sins. God has done this in and through Christ. In Christ all things were created. In Christ all things hold together.
While many families will enjoy each other feasing this Thanksgiving, some will be alone. Victims of divorce or death, they will try to hang in there while feeling as though things are falling apart. Some families will depart thanksgiving happily after old fights and memories are revisited. They have no hope of family togetherness and dred the next thanksgiving.
Terrorism continues to threaten peace. Arab Americans are victims of a government endorsed racial profiling. Tensions between Christians and Muslims increase in some areas.
Who can hold this world together? We need a savior!
There are so many events and issues that pull us apart. Politics, war, economic downturns, and competition pit neighbor against neighbor. Though September 11 gave us some unity against a common enemy, the divisive elements are still around. We are still in a mess; we are still a mess.
We need a savior, one who can hold things together. We are intelligent, sophisticated, ingenius, creative, wealthy and powerful. But we are also self-centered, envious, dysfunctional, and powerless over our own problems. We really do need a savior.
God has seen fit to provide what we could not provide for ourselves, an inheritance of the saints in the light, redemption, forgiveness of sins. God has done this in and through Christ. In Christ all things were created. In Christ all things hold together.
While many families will enjoy each other feasing this Thanksgiving, some will be alone. Victims of divorce or death, they will try to hang in there while feeling as though things are falling apart. Some families will depart thanksgiving happily after old fights and memories are revisited. They have no hope of family togetherness and dred the next thanksgiving.
Terrorism continues to threaten peace. Arab Americans are victims of a government endorsed racial profiling. Tensions between Christians and Muslims increase in some areas.
Who can hold this world together? We need a savior!
Happy Thanksgiving! Fred in LA
Fred in LA, I just read your comments--after I had already planned my sermon theme as Holding Things Together. Our lives are so fragmented that it difficult to make sense of them. Better than the glue that holds us together, Christ's Spirit weaves through our lives to help us make some sense of things--if we only just let him in. Sharon in Bethlehem
For those of us who have trouble identifying with the image of a King, (being democratic North Americans and all that...) this passage provides the same idea, without the foreign imagery. "Head of the body." "One who rescues, redeems, forgives." "The One for whom all things were created." "The Peacemaker." "The One in whom the fullness of God dwells."
DGinNYC
After having been at Ground Zero yesterday, where the funeral pyre still burns, the air still tastes and smells like death, this pericope speaks of hope. The hope that our God, who is STILL God, WILL get the last word!
pastorkat PA
That last verse is a sticky one. "God was pleased to reconcile to himself ALL things? Terrorists? Muslims? Bleeding-heart liberals? Right-wing war Hawks? Gentiles, Romans, Christ killers? All things?Hitler, Stalin, Hirohito, Mao, bin Laden? Jesus prayed from the cross,"Father forgive them", who took his innocent life. "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the heavenly father give..?" Could this scripture be the grounds for believing in Universal Redemption? Very sticky indeed, especially in these times when forgiveness toward killers of the innocent is a hard message to preach, or even to ponder. tom in TN(USA)
Tom in TN: I like the way Verna Dozier says to her Bible discussion groups: "We're all going to heaven. We're ALL going to heaven... And SOME of us are going to LIKE it!" After that sinks in a little, she goies on, "So our job now is to practice liking being with EVERYONE."
Sara in GR, MI
I like that, sara. thanx, tom
Tom in Tn asked:
"Could this scripture be the grounds for believing in Universal Redemption?"
Only if taken out of context with the rest of God's revealed word.
Not sound practice.
Rick in Va
Wishing that Universal Redemption was true, especially for the sake of loved ones, but trusting in God's revelation that this is not the case, and believing that it has something to do with justice.
Previous:
Dear DPS readers: If you are using this text in the context of the "reign of Christ"/Feast of Christ the King, you may want to check out my posting of Nov. 15th, regarding the liturgical origins of the observance of the Feast the King. It is posted with the Gospel comments....Gregory in Dot, MA
Gee, Gregory. The gospel section is always so large, I doubt I could find it. Why don't you cut and paste it over here. Thanks. Does any one else lament the fact that the Gospels get sooooo much attention and the OT and others get short scrift? I guess it is to be expected and maybe to be desired but I wish there was at least a little more action in the OT. I was very encouraged when Habakkuk got some notice, but usually, the Gospel is where it's at. Just had to get that off my chest and I feel much better now, thanks!
KenTucky
Dear Ken Turkey: The following is the text of my earlier comments for the Gospel text (Nov.15th). Thanks for the suggestion about "cut & paste". It took me a few tries...Here it is...Hope it hepls to make your day! Gregory in Dot, MA
As noted above in a an unsigned posting on Nov. 14th, the Liturgical celebration of the Feasr of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI (baptismal name: Achille Ratti) on December 11, 1925, in the text of his encyclical QUAS PRIMAS. The year 1925 was one of those periodic years designated by Catholics as a "Holy Year." The encyclical marked the closing of the year-long period of renewal of life. "To enhance the glory of the Kingdom of Christ," he wrote that it was his desire to close the Holy Year "with the insertion into the Sacred Liturgy of a special feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ." (section #6).....He designated that it be observed on the last Sunday of October, near the conclusion of the Liturgical Year, and just prior to the Feast of All Saints. With the more recent liturgical reforms this feast was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar, so as to serve as a summary of the mysteries of faith contemplated, proclaimed and actualized during the past year....The document is dated in its style and in the historical context of the cultural, political and social issues of the earlier decades of this century. However, Pius XI drew upon rich scriptural fondations for the feast, as well as early patristic writings...I hope that this brief summary will be helpful to DPS readers who may be from a Reformation or free church tradition...Whatever our denominational background, I would hope that we all could utter a common "AMEN" to the following aspiration of Pius XI: "If the kingdom of Christ, then, receives, as it should, all nations under its way, there seems no reason why we should despair of seeing that peace which the King of Peace came to bring on earth--he who came to reconcile all things, who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, who, through Lord of all, gave himself to us as a model of humility, and with his principle law united the precept of charity; who said also: 'My yoke is sweet and my burden is light.' Oh, what happiness would be ours if all men (sic), individuals, families, and nations, would but let themselves be governed by Christ!..."(section #20) ....The quotation from Maritain, above in the unsigned posting, is but one of many profound mediations which illustrate the challenge to make "the reign of Christ" contemporary to each decade and situation....I hope the above serves as an aid to reflecing on this week's lectionary texts.... The Peace of Christ the King to one and to all.... Gregory in Dot, MA
OOPPPS!......The above should read to KenTucky, not "Ken Turkey"....Sorry about that, Ken.....I must have been thinking about my Thanksgiving sermon, or dinner, or something Freudian....Gregory in Dot, MA
A few things "hit me" from this passage. I have been rescued and transferred. Hmmm, God transferring funds. I'm a transferred and transformed piece of flotsam and jetsam?
Another thing: the image of the invisible God. Jesus is God with skin on 'im. Jesus says, if you've seen me you've seen the Father. The invisible, awesome, almighty, Yahweh is now revealed.
I like vs. 19, pleased...how can the fullness of God be pleased to dwell? I like this idea of the Father taking pleasure in the Son. "This is my beloved with whom I am well-pleased." What pleases God? My efforts or God's efforts?
God was (here it is again) pleased...I like the idea of something catching God's fancy.
Just some ramblings.
JAL
I will approach this as a Thanksgiving text taking verses 11-12 where Paul prays the Colossians will receive strength and endurance so they can be patient and grateful. Their gratitude within suffering is for What Christ has done and in who Christ is. This is really exalted Christology and bridges Thanksgiving with Christ the King very nicely. There are people in my congregation for whom Thanksgiving is a challenge. I hope to touch them with a reason for gratitude, Everything we endure is less than the gift of Christ. Hope is greater than our losses. His fulness is greater than our emptiness. Lewis
Is anyone interested in exploring the connection between the description of Jesus in this passage and descriptions of Wisdom in various Old Testament passages?
IMG
Wisdom? Jesus? Is there a connection between those Old Testament passages and Christ? Strange, how Proverbs and Colossians sound so like each other? Or is it strange at all. I don't think so! MLB
Gregory in Dot,
Thanks and apology accepted { though I was about to vow never to return to DPS! :) }
KenTucky (sometimes a Turkey!)
Gregory in DOT and KenTucky,
Now that's community... thanks for making me chuckle...
Rick in Va
I see the strong connections between Proverbs 8 (Sophia; sorry, Rick!) and Colossians. But for this Sunday I'm interested in the connection between Col. and Luke! Philippians 2 almost makes the tie -- the suffering servant, exalted at God's right hand ... but Colossians says something more. Any ideas? Kay
Kay,
You got me... I'm chuckling (again). But help me with something... I know Sophia is big at the re-imagining or re-imaging or re-something another that is big in some left-of-center women's spiritual gatherings, but help me tie her to Colossians.
You can write me at rickcrice@aol.com or rrice@bcharrispub.com as to avoid clogging the 'air' waves here...
Thanks,
I'm trying to 'grow'...
Rick in Va