November 16, 2023 – Seeing the King
Christ The King Sunday
Prayer of Confession
God of glory, we do not always see your glory
in the world around us.
When we see a person in need,
it is not easy to look him in the eye.
When we hear a cry for help,
it is not easy to offer her quick assurance.
When we know of a lonely prisoner,
it is not easy to make that unannounced visit.
Forgive us when we fail to see you
in our everyday lives.
Forgive us when we are afraid to act,
afraid to care.
Encourage us, God of glory.
Help us to see others with the eyes of compassion,
that we might be your loving presence in the world. Amen.
There is immeasurable greatness in the power of God for those who believe.
Trust in the Lord,
for God’s grace is real.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who is above all and in all,
your are forgiven!
Matthew 25:31-46
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Judgment of the Nations
31 “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. 32 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, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 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, 36 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.’ 37 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? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 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.’ 44 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?’ 45 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.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”