Commentary on the readings for Sunday 22 November 2009  The Sunday next before Advent   Jeremiah 23 v.5-8 These four verses are vital to an understanding of Jewish history and Christian belief. Written when the people are still in exile from Jerusalem there is a promise of a 'return' of the Exiles to their native land. In vs. 4 there is the promise of 'a Shepherd who will shepherd them' - the return o f King. Earlier Kings are seen to have been responsible for the Exile. The restored Monarch will conform to the kingship ideal and under him both Israel and Judah will dwell securely. This 'return of the Exiles' becomes more important then the 'freedom from Egypt'. The verses look forward to a golden age when they are 'home' again and everything goes well. The present State of Israel provides 'good pasture' for the people within but no sign of a 'righteous king'. There is a continuing oppression of their neighbours: only the Jewish people who join them matter. At present we see a Utopian vision acted out in Zionism.   The Epistle : Colossians ch.1 13-20 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the light. Paul sees Christ as the fulfilment of Israel's hope for a king and a shepherd for one who will both provide Just reward and feed the people.   Christ is the image of the invisible God, The firstborn of all creation; In him all things in heaven and on earth were created, Things visible and invisible, Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers All things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that you might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 'Being' in itself, which is beyond knowledge or understanding, we recognise in the word God. To understand what that word means, Christ is set forward as one through whom we can go from darkness to light. This is made possible through Jesus who 'makes peace through his blood' v21 To be open in heart and mind to what the cross represents both as an expression of the beauty and power of all being and as an expression of the pain and passion of all being is to be taken out of ourselves and so to discover what the word 'Christ' can mean. In this way Christ becomes the awaiting King spoken of in Jeremiah.   The Gospel: John 6, 5-14 Having been presented with the kingship in the epistle this reading gives us the shepherd. In John's account of the feeding of the multitude, the 'Shepherd' is shown as enabling a boy to share what he has. Disciples give out that which is shared, the people receive and Jesus gives thanks in blessing. It is possible to understand this not as literal, but as an example of what can happen when one person shares, encouraging others to share what they have. To avoid the idea that they might have found the expected 'king' Jesus withdraws when they come to take him and make him king v15. Continue to v 35 'Jesus said to them, "I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in Me shall never be thirsty."' From v54 'Those who eat my Flesh and drink my blood have eternal life'. In our holy communion we celebrate both the king who comes to us and the shepherd who feeds us. That is, we do so, if we accept Christ the King through the offering of Jesus that he makes of himself, for all of us, as the Good Shepherd. In this Light eternal life is now and always.   Please feel free to comment: leslie.virgo@tiscali.co.uk Click to return to 'Home Page'