Serving Christ the King

Last Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 29 (Year A)

Christ the King

Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 25.31-46

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. We are certainly familiar with the language of kingship as related to Christ. We have just come through Year A of the lectionary, the year centered on Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew uses the imagery of kingship to describe Jesus. We first see this with the coming of the Wise Men following Jesus’ birth when they come to Herod in search of “the child who has been born king of the Jews” (Mt 2.2). Then throughout the first Gospel, Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, continually seeks to build the case that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the King that was foretold by the prophets. And all of this imagery of Jesus as King is brought to a conclusion at the end of his life. While on trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asks Jesus “are you the King of the Jews?” (Mt 27.11). Following the trial, before his crucifixion, the Roman soldiers mock Jesus, saying “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mt 27.29). And then as he hangs upon the cross, the unlikely throne for this king, the soldiers place a sign over his head that reads “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Mt 27.37). And lastly, following his resurrection, when the risen Christ comes to his disciples “and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Mt 28.18), whereupon he gives them the Great Commission. The final confirmation that he is indeed the King. Not just king of the Jews, but King of all.

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Keeping the Lamp Lit

23^rd Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 27 (Year A)

Joshua 24.1-3a, 14-25; 1 Thess. 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

The readings appointed for the Sundays in November deal with “endings” – as we move toward the conclusion of the liturgical year and prepare for the season of Advent in just a few weeks.

The Old Testament reading from Book of Joshua is part of Joshua’s farewell address to the people of Israel. Moses has led the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promise Land. He was not, however, the one to lead them into the Promised Land. That job fell to Joshua, who actually brought the people into Canaan. It was Joshua who oversaw their efforts to take control of the land, as promised by God. Now someone else needs to lead them as they settle in and establish a new life for themselves. As he prepares for his own death, Joshua addresses the people, reminding them of what God has done for them over the last 40 plus years. Reminding them of their covenant with God. Reminding them that they need to keep going. Reminding them that in order to do that, they must continually obey God.

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All Saints - Past, Present, and Future

All Saints Sunday (Year A)

Revelation 7.9-17; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

This past week we observed a three-day period dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all faithful departed believers. The first was Halloween. While having pagan roots as evidenced in our current secular customs, this holiday also has a Christian background. Halloween being a shortening of the proper Christian name for the day, All Hallows’ Eve. The eve of All Hallows’ Day, or what we now call All Saints’ Day, in keeping with the Christian tradition of beginning the celebration of major feast days the evening before.

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