November 22, 2020, Lectionary

Because Israelite leaders were abusing their privileges God said he would judge between sheep and sheep and between sheep and goats. Both sheep and goats were important for Israelite sacrifices. Ezekiel 34

Psalm 100 has comforted millions. We are the sheep of his pasture. Compare Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd.

Jesus now has authority over every name that is named anywhere in the universe, any time in all time, in the world and in the church. That's a good side to be on. Ephesians 1:15-23

Though it's "all nations" who come before God, it's only sheep and goats in God's eyes,--no wolves or other predators. Does that indicate that God sees deeply into every soul and knows that a human's first impulse, to be enacted or repressed, is not predation but, instead, love? Matthew 25:31-46

Thoughts about Listening

I believe there's a higher power still in charge of things on earth, so I can learn to care and love with detachment from outcomes. Ezekiel 34

Curiosity and gratitude go a long way in building relationships. Psalm 100

Good to ponder what authority I side with at any point, whether it be a viewpoint I made up a long time ago to survive trauma, or whether it be government or a "higher power," whether it be conscious or unconscious. . . . Ephesians 1:15-23

Listen first, when trying to give to the hungry, the homeless, the imprisoned, the neglected. Matthew 25:31-46