000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

This text underlines the importance of both leadership and participation
on the part of regular members in maintaining a vital community. A
message could reflect on the qualities of leadership on the part of ministers
and lay leaders that are important to helping the community live in
accord with God’s purposes. It could also reflect on how others in the congregation
can share pasture and clear water. The preacher could project
these concerns onto larger screens: what kinds of leaders and participants
can move the nation or world toward values, relationships, and practices
to make life a blessing for all? The preacher may need to name false and
true shepherds and fat and lean sheep. What needs to happen for the congregation
or the larger community to become a healthy flock?
This lection from Ezekiel is paired with Matthew 25:31–46, the parable
of the apocalyptic judgment of the sheep and the goats. Both Ezekiel
and Matthew speak of separation between the faithful and unfaithful
members of the community. Ezekiel focuses on separation of true and
false shepherds (i.e., monarchs and leaders) as well as fat and lean sheep
(community members). Inexplicably, the lectionary omits Ezekiel 34:17–
19, in which Ezekiel refers to separating rams and goats. In the parable
Matthew speaks of sheep (and goats) in reference to typical participants
in community, though elsewhere Matthew warns of false prophets (shepherds)
(7:15–20). The false shepherds of Ezekiel neglect covenantal
responsibilities to the poor—persons much like those whom the goats
neglected in Matthew’s parable (Ezek. 34:3–4; Matt. 25:42–44). Ezekiel
has in mind restoring a community in Palestine whereas Matthew has the
final apocalyptic judgment in view. Nevertheless, these two texts in their
different nuances call attention to the importance of enacting essential
Jewish values of living in covenant in community as leader and participant—or
facing the consequences.
Thanksgiving Day/Year A
Deuteronomy 8:7–18
Thanksgiving Day/Year A 119
While the passage assigned for today is a good beginning for a Thanksgiving
sermon, the wider context raises theological problems that dampen
the thanksgiving mood (for background on Deuteronomy, see Proper
17/Year B). Deuteronomy 6:10–15 presumes that God will remove the
current inhabitants of the promised land and give Israel “large cities that
you did not build, houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill,