The Story for the
Feast of the Reign of Christ
November 22, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 

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Something to Do

Lord, when did we see you…?

Sometimes, Jesus himself gives us a thing to do. I don’t think there’s anything I need to add.

Pray in colour for all humanity

This title for the Messiah is sometimes translated as Child of Humanity or even The Human One. It emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and reminds us that Jesus’ humanity is sacred – it is humanity made perfect; humanity that includes all the rest of us. When the king in the parable tells people that “the least of these” are members of his family, this is the family he is talking about – the human family.

Praying in Colour is a way to release and focus our prayers by doodling. All you need is a piece of paper and a pen or pencil (coloured pencils if you want). Begin by writing Jesus’ name and doodling around it as you invite Jesus to come be with you and inspire you. When you are ready, write another name – an individual or a group – and connect that name to your Jesus doodle. Doodle around the new addition. Imagine them there with you and Jesus. Ask Jesus to help you feel connected to them. Pray for their well-being. When you are ready, add another name and repeat. As you pray, notice that everyone is connected to everyone else through Jesus.

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Something to Wonder

When I was…you…

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…

This thought exercise comes from the Thursday evening house group. Consider today’s world. Consider your own life. Where are the opportunities for caring for Jesus? How are we responding?

For example:
I was lonely living on my own during Covid-19 and you went for a walk with me.
I was thirsty for fresh water, and you told me to have a boiled water advisory.

From the Beatitudes to the Sheep and Goats

This parable marks the end of Jesus’ teaching ministry in the Gospel according to Matthew – a ministry which he began with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). How do these two teachings connect? Who are the “blessed”? What is the role of God in each? Where do you find yourself?

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Something to Learn

The Reign of Christ (aka Christ the King) Sunday

History of Christ the King Sunday
Christ the King Sunday was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.  He sought to refocus the faithful on the reign of Jesus rather than the misleading and dangerous rule of earthly leaders.  Remember that this was after the horrors of World War I and in the midst of rising totalitarianism.

Read his encyclical, Quas Primas (Latin for “in the first”).  You won’t agree with all of it but it is an interesting read, nonetheles!

Christ the King
The Bible Project has a video and podcast series on the subject of the Kingdom. 

Or, if you’re up for a long and somewhat dense read, this article by bishop and theologian N.T. Wright is fascinating:  “…a fresh thesis about the gospels, stressing the way in which they summoned their first readers to imagine a new state of affairs being launched into the world, a state of affairs for which the obvious shorthand was ‘the kingdom of God’.”  Imagining the Kingdom: Mission and Theology in Early Christianity

And for those with less time or shorter attention spans: a synopsis of the book (How God Became King) that grew from the essay.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
November 15, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵ to one he gave five talents,^[f] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸ But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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Something to Do

Lost and Found

Take eight coins, or draw them on a piece of paper. Assign each with a gift God has given you – it could be a talent or skill, a vocation, some aspect of your life, etc.. For each one, think of how you can nurture it and help it grow, and imagine all the good that it could do. Now go back and, for each, think about what would happen if you hid those gifts away from the world.

Talented Help

On a piece of paper, draw or list eight things that help you nurture your own “talents” or gifts from God. It could be a tool or a device, a person, a place, etc. You could draw or list one per day, or all at once and reflect on each one throughout the week.

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Something to Wonder

Talented Investing

In the parable, we hear an encouragement to invest the “talents” we have been given, rather than hide them away out of fear or laziness. The third servant was told he could have gone to those more knowledgeable for help. Take a moment and think of all those in your life who have helped you, both in general and spiritually. Were there moments in your life when you returned the favour?

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Something to Learn

Community Ministries

Take a moment and learn about the Community Ministries operated throughout the Diocese of Ottawa. There are six main ones, so perhaps you can choose one per day this week and learn about all the good ways those around us are “investing” their “talents”.

https://www.ottawa.anglican.ca/community-ministries

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Nov 8, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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Something to Do

Make an oil lamp

This is certainly not what the bridesmaids were carrying but it’s pretty cool – all you need is a bowl, some olive oil, and 100% pure cotton balls!
Check out the video here.

Get Ready to Wait

We have been waiting for the pandemic to end for over six months. When this started, people stocked up on toilet paper and flour and take out menus. We’re into a different phase of waiting now but responsible preparation is still needed. What do you need to do to make sure you are ready for the wait? Go ahead and do it.

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Something to Wonder

What is your oil?

The bridesmaids needed enough oil to sustain them while they waited to meet the bridegroom and go to the party. What sustains you as you wait? Are you at risk of running low? How do you replenish it?

Foolishness and Wisdom

Imagine yourself as one of the foolish bridesmaids. How did you feel when the so-called wise bridesmaids refused to share their oil? When you found yourself locked out of the party?

Now imagine yourself as one of the wise bridesmaids. How did you feel when the so-called foolish bridesmaids asked for your oil? When you went into the party? When you heard the other bridesmaids knocking at the door?

What real world scenarios produce these emotions for you?

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Something to Learn

The Politics of Representation

by Raj Bharat Patta on the blog Political Theology

The Parable of the Ten Virgins, a rare example of women appearing in the parables and sayings of the gospel, invites us to consider challenging questions of representation.
read more.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for
All Saint’s Day
Nov 1, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” . 

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Something to Do

More than words

The Beatitudes are a set of simple sentences that are really hard to understand – partly because they are pointing to the great mystery of the kingdom of God. Sometimes, words just aren’t enough.

How would you communicate each of the beatitudes through something other than words? What images would you draw? What gestures would you make? What tune would you sing?

Blessed are the Saints

The Beatitudes are read on All Saints’ Day because they provide us with a description of what it is to be a saint – a person blessed by God to serve the rest of us as a witness and a guide back to God. This Sunday, we will hear some stories about the people who are saints of members of our community. You can contact Rhonda to volunteer to share your story. You can also just share your story with a friend or family member sometime this week.

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Something to Wonder

Blessed are those who…

Some of these blessings may come as a relief to you – if you are mourning or find yourself hungering for justice, for example. Some might come as a challenge – perhaps you don’t feel very meek or pure of heart. But what if these blessings are not simply descriptions but calls? What if Jesus isn’t just saying that those are mourning are blessed but that it is blessed to mourn, to feel sorrow about the brokenness of our world, and so we should all do it. It is blessed to be meek and so we should all seek a posture of humility that doesn’t claim to be more than we are (inheritors of the earth, no less).

Which of these calls feel easy to you and which feel challenging? How might you strengthen your capacity to answer them all?

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Something to Learn

Saints, Saints, and more Saints!

With everything going on, it’s important to have a little fun. Check out the wild and wonderful world of saints on the Wall of Fame at Lent Madness or get a preview of the 2021 bracket for the Competition for the Golden Halo.

For an even broader range of saints, take a look at Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints – the website offers a tantalizing glimpse of the contents of an absolutely beautiful book where you will learn about people like:

• Maryam Molkar, a devout Muslim and a transgender woman from Iran;
• Rabbi Regina Jonas, the first woman ordained as a Rabbi;
• Rachel Held Evans, a beloved author and speaker who gave many people hope that it was okay to question faith and God.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Oct 25, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Deuteronomy 34: 1- 12

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”

Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethpeor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. 

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Something to Do

I have let you see it with your eyes, but…

There is something quite timely about this notion of see but don’t touch. We can see our friends from a distance but we can’t give them a hug. We can dream about the places we want to visit but we can’t actually go there.

Let yourself feel that longing. Pull out old photos, set up a video call, or look up travel sites and just feel all the feelings.

Joshua…was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him

First, decide if you are feeling more like Moses – the experienced mentor preparing to pass the torch – or more like Joshua – ready to step up and embrace new responsibility. If you feel like Moses, reach out to someone who is preparing to step into leadership in some way and offer your support. If you feel like Joshua, reach out to someone with more experience and benefit from their wisdom.

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Something to Wonder

…but you shall not cross over there

We have reached the end of Moses’ story. He has led his people out of slavery and through the wilderness. He has fought with them about who they are to be and how they are to worship. He has loved them and worked for them and now, on the very threshold of the promised land, he is told that his part is done.

Unusually, we don’t hear what Moses says back to God. What do you imagine he might have said? How do you imagine he felt? Can you relate to Moses in this story?

Never since has there arisen a prophet like Moses…

Moses was not indispensable – he himself had anointed a successor whom the people trusted and followed. But, even so, Moses was irreplaceable: “Never since has there arisen a prophet like Moses”. His work and his influence shaped the people of Israel and continues to shape both Jews and Christians today.

As we prepare for the Feast of All Saints’ on Nov 1, who in your life is a “never since”? Who has shaped your faith or your approach to life or your understanding of yourself in such as way that you can still feel their influence even after there active work is done?

Might you like to share that story with the rest of us? Email Rhonda to be included in a time of storytelling during the Nov 1st Zoom church service or write your story down and send it along for inclusion in the Reflection email.

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Something to Learn

What did Moses see..and what happened next?

Much as we might prefer not to, it is important to remember that the land Moses has led the Israelites to was not empty. Joshua was appointed for battle; the Israelites were about to become an invading army. The Biblical record is complicated – and history is more complicated still – but no complications can erase the ways in which this is a story of conquest. It is a story that has been used – and continues to be used – by people who want to justify their claims on land that is already occupied by someone else. Non-Indigenous Canadians, among others, need to think about this story very carefully.

Unsettling the Word: Biblical Experiments in Decolonization is a collection of essays and reflections that tackles the damaging ways Biblical texts have been used and looks for new understandings. Published by the Mennonite Church in Canada, it is available from www.commonword.ca and from Amazon (including as a Kindle book). Read a review here: Liberating the Bible from the Hands of the Colonizers

Of course, Canada is not the only place where these texts need to be re-examined. This article from Friends of Sabeel, makes some powerful connections.

“Reading the Bible with the Eyes of the Canaanites”; from Nur Masalha:  “[T]he first person to develop this new perspective was the North American native scholar Robert Allen Warrior who speaks of how strongly he was compelled by Martin Luther King’s Exodus imagery of going to the mountaintop, seeing the Promised Land, and crossing the River Jordan. He writes of being stunned at the realization that native Americans were in fact the Canaanites of the American colonial experience.” Read on.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.