Faith Formation and Christian Education (Sunday, November 23, 2025)

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King which marks the final Sunday of the church year. On this day the church recognizes in a special way Jesus as the Messiah sent from God to restore the broken relationship between God and God’s creation. The collect says that it was the divine will of God to restore all things in Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

In some way the readings for this week points to the reality of Jesus’ kingship. In the reading from Jeremiah, the prophet issued a warning to the Shepherds (Kings) who had caused God’s people to be scattered. The prophet also declared that God would one day raise up a Shepherd from the line of David who would save God’s people. A king who would execute justice and righteousness in the land.

In the letter to the Colossians, the writer confesses Jesus as the image of God who made it possible for humanity to see God in a way that was not otherwise possible. The writer also hails Jesus as the beginning of all things and the head of the body, the church. Through the resurrection Jesus made it attainable for
all people to be reunited with God.

In the gospel reading Jesus’ kingship is evidenced as he prays for the forgiveness of those who were responsible for his crucifixion. This kingship is also seen in how He pardoned the criminal and offered him a place with Him in paradise. It is this King the church celebrates today whose mission it was to bring all people back into a loving relationship with God.