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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2012-11-22, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012.By Rev. Dr. Peter Kugba-Nyande Duff’s United Church, Walton As we come to the end of Pentecost signalling the beginning of New Year, the lectionary focuses on the future and the fulfillment of the promises God has made to humanity during the course of our history. These promises are summed up in Jesus Christ the King. His kingship, as we know, is far different from any type of kingship humankind has experienced. The nature of Christ’s kingship tells us a lot about who God is for us, and we come to know the nature of that kingship through God’s word found in the Bible as interpreted by the Magisterium of the Church. In the reading from the second Book of Samuel, the nature of Christ’s kingship is revealed sacramentally in the exercise of David’s kingship as shepherd and commander. Shepherd here probably does not need any further explanation, but commander would as applied to Christ, for he is not a military commander but one who makes demands on each of us to follow him in creating an environment of peace and justice here on earth that points to God’s perfect and complete control of history at the end of time. Jesus spent his life teaching about the kingdom of God, preaching liberation to the captives, and healing those who were sick and lame. Jesus’ miracles and teachings had so confounded the status quo of the elders, priests and politicians that he was deemed a threat to their religion and their way of life. Jesus had challenged the unjust treatment of women, preached the need for patience with children and accused the Pharisees and Sadducees of lacking good faith. His ministry had been controversial, powerful and world altering, to the point that those whom he threatened condemn him to death by crucifixion. We recall the words of prophet Jeremiah. “I will raise up a shepherd over them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing”, says the Lord (v.4. In this passage we are reminded that the faithful remain and are called to care for one another. We are directed by Jesus to be shepherds. Jesus is calling us to action: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I will be with you always, to the end of age”. The disciples had learned to love Christ as a Man, and to listen to Him as a Teacher; now they must learn to trust Him. Doubtless Christ sent the storm that they might find in Him one mightier than the storm. They saw the calmness of trust and how faith can sleep while the storm rages. He wonders that the disciples have not the same confidence. They saw the quiet naturalness of Kingly power, for He acted with the untoiling ease of Godhead, and the powers of nature in their wildest uproar yielded immediate obedience to His voice. Colossians is most fitting text to celebrate the kingship of Christ. Verses 15-18a depicts Christ as the supreme head of the created order and verses 18b-20 unfolds Christ as the head of the new creation. As the pre-existent Christ who stands at the head of created order, and as the incarnate Christ who is raised from the dead, he becomes the full embodiment of God’s own: “in him God in all fullness chose to dwell” Jesus is not simply a King or even the most powerful King. Christ is Priest-King, and His kingships, as well as His priesthood, are related to all human beings. With His ministry as Priest-King for our sake, Christ enters another stage of the plan of redemption. As Christians, we have a confessional faith, not because we are weak, but because God is strong and love. We have a confessional faith because the grace of God is sufficient for all. We have a confessional faith because God is our refuge and our strength. We confess because God will hear and forgive our sins too. We confess because God’s saving grace will heal, restore, redeem and forgive those who God had created and whom God loves fiercely. If we say, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” it means that, for us, Jesus Christ is uniquely in charge – we are prepared to be obediently follow in whatever direction the Lord chooses to lead, even if he goes where we might rather he did not. If we say, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” that means that his priorities will become our priorities. We will be drawn to those on the margins, the outcasts; even that society (sometimes even the church) suggests we stay away from. If we say, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” we will take religion seriously – we will worship, we will fellowship, we will pray, we will even sacrifice, just as Jesus did, and we will never let religion become as end in itself; it must never get in a way of people. If we say, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” it means we are prepared to give to Jesus a love and loyalty that will be given to no other person. As the Psalmists remind us, the ideal ruler will defend the cause of the poor of people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor….” A king leads; a king rules, protects, praises and keeps his people comforted in times of trouble. There is grace for us and the entire humanity. We ask Christ our King to increase our understanding of this mystery and to help us bring others to the treasures that faith in Him unlocks. Amen. THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 NOVEMBER 25TH ~ The Best of “Evan Almighty” DECEMBER 2ND ~ Spotting the Perfect Gift Do All Roads Lead to Heaven? HURON CHAPEL Sunday @ 10:30am www.huronchapel.org week three MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9017 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, November 25 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH BRUSSELS Sandra Cable, Pastor Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00 am Sunday School Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship United Church getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship Evangelical Missionary Church 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School Wingham Bible Study - Tuesdays 7:30 pm Youth Group - Tuesdays 7:30 pm (at CRC) Women At The Well - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Nov. 25: Mk 13:24ff “Who’s Coming? What’s It Matter?” Christ the King Sunday - POTLUCK250 Princess St., Brussels 519-887-6388 www.bmfchurch.com Interim Pastor Jim Whitehead Guests Welcome Jesus Is Lord! Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Worship Service 10:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am From the Minister’s StudyNew year to focus on God’s promises