The Cosmic Christ Icon Christine Hales

This Sunday we observe the Feast of Christ the KIng, or Christ the King Sunday. The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, commonly referred to as the Feast of Christ the King, Christ the King Sunday or Reign of Christ Sunday, is a feast in the liturgical year which emphasizes the true kingship of Christ. In the theological tradition of the Church this was known as the Universal Primacy of Christ or in our culture's common parlance, the Cosmic Christ. The feast is a relatively recent addition to the liturgical calendar, instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI for the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.

In 1970 its Roman Rite observance was moved from October to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and thus to the end of the liturgical year. The earliest date on which the Feast of Christ the King can occur is 20 November and the latest is 26 November. We Anglicans and the

Lutheran, Moravian, Methodist, Nazarene, Reformed and United Protestant churches also celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, which is contained in the Revised Common Lectionary; the Methodist, Anglican and Presbyterian Churches often observe this as part of the liturgical season of Kingdomtide, which runs between the Fourth Sunday before Advent and the Feast of Christ the King

It's hard to believe, but time is drawing close for the St. Nicholas Day Fair,(December 6), and vendors are signing up. It's not too early to think about what you would be willing to bake. Last year we ran out of cookies at the walk, and could have sold more. There are some types that freeze well, and the church has a large freezer just for that purpose. There has been the first drop-off to the freezer, sooooo.. think about it. :-)

Also, once more we will be offering home made soups. If you would like to contribute a pot/crockpot of soup that would be great. We also sold out on soup last year!

Christ the King Sunday is the day, in this season of Thanksgiving when we have, at St Mary's ended our stewardship reflections and asked people to return their pledge cards. The cards that have been received on or before Sunday will be blessed and brought up at the offertory.

When Elijah meets the widow of Zarephaph, as the story is told to us in First Kings, he asks to be fed from the very last of her stores. She explains to him that she’s gathering wood for the fire she’ll make to cook the last meal she expects to eat before she and her son die of starvation. Still, he asks her to make him some bread. Even though Elijah promises that she won’t run out of flour and oil, how can she know this is true? The first miracle of the story is that she shares the very last that she has with this entitled man who is asking for food and drink. In my opinion it overshadows the other miracles that follow – the never-empty jugs of oil and flour – because for the first miracle to be effective, the widow must first make the most daring risk. I see this miracle replayed often in the Church. When faced with diminished resources, I have witnessed congregations get creative, roll up their sleeves, and find ways to engage their mission. In situations where old models were failing to attract new energy, I have seen members volunteer their ideas, their wisdom, to help a congregation move beyond its capacity. I have seen vestries take risks in order to extend more services, more ministry in their communities, even if the path to staffing or funding it wasn’t immediately clear. In every one of these circumstances, miracles were present, because in every one of these circumstances there was more than enough. More than enough people to do the work, more than enough money to cover the costs, more than enough creativity to carry the project forward. Even when we feel depleted, there is more than enough. Maybe recent history has made you wonder if your congregation will be able to continue, able to provide ministry and pay the bills. Maybe you have had to make serious adjustments in your own household budget or your plans. Our stewardship of our personal and collective resources reminds us of the abundance around us. There will be more than enough because our faith will unlock the generosity of others. Expect miracles.

The author, Davey Gerhard, is the Executive Director of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and is a member of Holy Innocents, San Francisco

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.



Old Testament

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."

The Psalm

Psalm 46

Deus noster refugium

1 God is our refuge and strength, *

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *

and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

3 Though its waters rage and foam, *

and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

4 The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *

the holy habitation of the Most High.

6 God is in the midst of her;

she shall not be overthrown; *

God shall help her at the break of day.

7 The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *

God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

8 The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

9 Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *

what awesome things he has done on earth.

10 It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *

he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

and burns the shields with fire.

11 "Be still, then, and know that I am God; *

I will be exalted among the nations;

I will be exalted in the earth."

12 The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

For those who would like to try a guided meditation, this is a link to 22 minute Meditation on this Epistle. This is a weekly meditation on one of the Scriptures of each Sunday in the manner of Lectio Divina, where questions are raised and the reading repeated

The Epistle

Colossians 1:11-20

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.



The Good Thief Titian

Gospel Discussion at Rev'd up for Sunday

Fr. Plant's Gospel Commentary

Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

The Cosmic Christ Atherton

This week's reflection from "At the Edge of the Enclosure"

Christ at work in Creation The Canterbury Psalter