In Charge of the Cosmos– and the Atom

Hey!  Anybody here?  Anyone in charge of this messy world, this mish-mash of humanity all trying to get the best of each other?  Only a narcissist, a poseur would want to try to run things in such an unpredictable place.  Pipeline spills and traffic jams are but symptoms of a tarnished culture based on materialism.  To whom shall I complain?  Is there anybody who actually cares?  Scripture lessons for this weekend help us to celebrate the Reign of Christ, and may resonate with those disillusioned because their Thanksgiving didn’t look like Norman Rockwell’s…

The Ezekiel reading (34:11-16, 20-24)  addresses those who long for the restoration of Israel and the Good Old Days.  Despite their scattering, God’s People will be personally gathered from the clouds and darkness, and brought to “their own land”.    Those who’ve gotten fat by pushing & shoving will go to The Sale, while those who’re respectful and sharing will live in pleasant pastures under the guidance of the Good Shepherd, a reincarnation of David.

St. Paul wasn’t a sheep guy, so you won’t find them mentioned in the Ephesian lesson (1:15-23).  You WILL find the affirmation that God has given control of All Things to Christ, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named”.   To me, this is good news, since I’m really fatigued with running my head into the wall by standing up for immigrant rights, Social Security and environmental protection.  No victory dance yet–but we do have permission and direction to live in mutual care and responsibility as we believe that God’s Kingdom is really happening.

Only Matthew includes the Judgment of Sheep and Goats (25:31-46) in the Gospel account.  His corner of the Church, mostly of the Jewish tradition, is well-steeped in the shepherd/sheep analogy.  But he takes it further to surprise both Sheep & Goats with an observation of their compassion:  “WHEN, Lord did we see you…?”  And the litmus test dealt with “the least of these” who were nourished, clothed and affirmed –or not.  The purpose then & now is not to terrorize the timid into avoiding eternal fire, but to remind all believers that we’re accountable to the needy of our society.  The day will come, evidently, when those who’ve talked the talk will be asked how they’ve walked the walk.

Words of Henri Nouwen bolster me for these worrisome seasons:  “What is new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes [God’s] presence known to us.”  (ALL THINGS NEW)  Rejoice and Be Thankful!

God Bless Us, Every One                           Horace Brown King

My wrestling with the lections for the upcoming weekend may be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com