Before I start, I just wanted to check in with how the bingo’s going…
Today we are thinking of Christ the King, and in our reading from Ezekiel we hear how the Sovereign Lord will take care of the sheep, and then in the Gospel we hear how Jesus will set on his royal throne, and again will take care of his sheep.
What do you think of when you think of Kings (or queens)?
What do you think of when you think of Shepherds?
I think we can agree that shepherds nurture and care for their flock, as Jesus nurtures and cares for us. I want you to take a moment to talk to the person next to you. I want you to think about people in your life that have nurtured and cared for you. That person who was like the sheep in today’s gospel, who fed you when you were hungry, took care of you when you were sick. And once you’ve shared that with those next to you, I want you to summarise who and why on a post-it and one of my helpful volunteers will bring it up.
All of these people have impacted your life, nurturing and caring for you as a shepherd would their sheep. And sharing with you Jesus’ love. Jesus was the ultimate shepherd, but sheep also stay safe by helping each other and staying in a flock. Many people nurture us, and we will carry that with us always. Who is it that you nurture, who have you fed when they were hungry, taken care of when they were sick. Whose life have you impacted? This might be a harder one to answer, but I guarantee there is someone out there – someone you have brought closer to God because of your presence and your own relationship with God. As you receive Christ today in the eucharist, some of you for the first time, remember that you take what you have received out with you as you leave – and to all of those you meet. You are part of the body of Christ, one of Christ’s flock, part of this flock. And that will never change.
Amen
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