We share a common earth
We stand among each other
We share the fruits of God's creation
We stand on the edge of creation and destruction
Creator God, help us to choose life
And to walk humbly on the earth.
Song “Will you come and follow me”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o469PRLdbHU
Confession-a time of silence
God of love and forgiveness
Save us by your tenderness
From each deed that is destructive
From each act that grieves you
From each thought that is careless
From each idea that is unloving
From each word that hurts.
Help us to face up to your call on our lives, by creating love and
goodness, community, society where it has been broken. Amen.
We say the Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Reflection on Matthew 25v31-46
The passage this week is the judgment of the nations before Jesus. People will be separated into two groups like separating sheep from goats. The interesting thing is that sheep and goats are quite similar animals.
So this division is subtle, not polarized and has nothing to do with appearance or lofty statements of adherents to any religion-however shocking some people may think! This is not about you being saved! It is about what you and I have done and the way we have acted towards people, when they are most vulnerable. When they are hungry, thirsty, without clothes, sick or in prison-all very vulnerable places to be. And those who have responded kindly and practically to another's plight will be awarded eternal life. But those who ignored the plight of the vulnerable are cast into eternal darkness. Does this mean that people of other faiths will also be saved? How controversial! What about the victims of war?!
Jesus message in this parable is to live a gospel that is good news, a good news that is practical in its attitude to people in need. This life of discipleship is a call to justice, to compassion and liberation. It is about bringing good news to people who are on the edge, the thirsty, hungry, naked, sick, imprisoned.
God comes into our lives to make new and to restore. Now is a time when we can reflect on what exactly this means as we remember the birth of Jesus at Christmas, The Prince of Peace. Amen
We pray for peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and those who we carry on our hearts and minds today. May we not fail you. Amen
Song “My dwelling place”
The blessing of God be upon you
On those you love and those you meet
This day and for evermore. Amen
