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Christ the King • Year B
November 24, 2024 • Proper 29
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Historical Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, you have crowned your Son as King and, by him, will renew your whole creation. May the families of the earth now torn apart and yoked by sin find liberty in him and be subjected to his gentle rule. Grant this, we pray, through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Roman, 20th Century)
Thematic Collect
Sovereign Lord, at the end of time your eternal reign will be fully revealed and all will stand in awe of your Son Jesus, the King of kings. As we gather in your holy presence, nourish us with Word, bread, and wine that we may go forth making that reign known; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
In one of the “realities” of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle, the German Reich is well on its way to a thousand year rule. In the real world, there is one who has reigned forever, for he is the beginning and the end. A multitude of rulers have challenged the King of kings. Nonetheless, he alone reigns in holiness. The Son of Man, who is and was and is to come, will return with power and great glory to judge all who have ever lived. Those who had faith in God until the end, who stayed awake and remained on guard, will be saved.
First Reading • Isaiah 51:4-6
The Word of the Lord came to Isaiah for God's people who were in exile in Babylon. God promised that he would send his servant to the faithful remnant of Israel. He vowed to free them from exile but also to reunite them with the rest of their people. Through these actions, God will bring justice which will be a light to his people.
Psalm • Psalm 93:1-5
Luther thought of these floods that lift up their voice as the apostles teaching with the power of the gospel. Whatever allegory or personification we make of the psalm, one thing is sure: the Lord reigns with power. He is mightier than the crashing waves that wear down rock over time. His throne was established long before rock or wave came into existence and he will reign long after it has all passed away.
Second Reading • Revelation 1:4b-8
John begins his revelation with words that need remembering chapters later when beasts and dragon and Antichrist make their appearance. In the time of trial we must remember that there is abundant and sufficient grace and peace available from the eternal Father and from his Spirit and Son. This pierced one who is the eternal Beginning and End has freed us from our sins by his blood and made the Church his everlasting kingdom.
Gospel • Mark 13:24-37
No one knows the day of Christ’s returning. Jesus said that even he did not know when he would return. So, we should not be concerned with times and dates. Instead, our interest should be the same as Jesus’ (Luke 2:49). Until he does return, we should be alert and wakeful, doing the work of the gospel.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
