Our readings for this Christ the King Sunday are: Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17, Psalms 23: 1-2, 2-3, 5-6,
1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28, and Matthew 25: 31-46.

• If you look just a few verses ahead of our Ezekiel reading for this Sunday, you see that the Lord is taking the shepherds of Israel to task for seeking their own benefit, rather than those that they served.
• What are the ministries that you see yourself in these days?  They don't have to be formal or have a name necessarily.  You could be visiting a sick relative on a regular basis and be in a ministry of great mercy.
• What are the challenges that you face in each of those ministries week in, week out?
• How do you think that the great Good Shepherd might be able to help you with those challenges?
• How do you think that the sheep learn to trust the shepherd?
• What has God done for/to you lately that evokes your trust in Him?
• Do you ever get the chance to talk to anyone else about His gifts in your life?
• Has God ever disappointed you with His care?
• We are often depicted as a pilgrim people, merely passing through in this life on our way to the Kingdom of God.
• What are some ways that the Kingdom of God can and should be more evident in your family, our parish, our nation?
• What's stopping you?
• This week's Gospel calls us to look at the needs around us.
• We are daily bombarded with needs that are going unmet in the world around us.  Of the many responses that we're capable of, two are easy to fall into:
• Thinking that there is nothing that we can do that will make a substantial difference in the face of so much need, so we become apathetic.
• Getting caught up in so many causes that we become burned out and of no use to anyone.
• How do you decide what needs to meet in your life?
• Is all of that giving on your part very much the same week in/week out, or is there some spontaneity to your generosity?
• Which is better, to send a lavish check to an organization that you know is doing good things, or spend your time helping out personally?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I a joyful giver?
2. How much do I trust God when He takes me out of my comfort zone?
3. What am I doing to bring about the Kingdom of God this week?
4. How have I been discerning where to spend myself?

Smelling Like Sheep

My middle school kids have a whole different set of challenges that they have to meet than I do.

Everything from acne to term paper deadlines are just a distant memory to me.

They probably look at me, and see their parents.

Or, with a little imagination, their grand parents.

For better or worse, I've made all of the decisions that they are facing now.

I just have to learn to live with the consequences,

Much less uncertainty at my stage in life, far fewer crisis.

And I wonder what I have to say to them that really means anything to them.

All of the wisdom of the ages is just noise if its delivered by someone

Who cannot relate to their listeners,

Who is unable to know the dark night of the soul that they wander through

And lead them gently, one step at a time, from right where they are.

Lord, give me true understanding of these your children,

That I might have the respect and awe of them that you hold,

That my love might be unconditional and authentic,

That I might show them your face in ways that they can see clearly.

Shalom!