Readings:
Jeremiah 23:1-6;
Psalm 46;
Colossians 1:11-20;
Luke 23:33-43

Collect:
Eternal God,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all:
keep the Church in the unity of your Spirit
and in the bond of peace, so that the whole created order
might come to worship at Christ’s feet;
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit
supreme over all creation, now and forever. Ame

Reflection

Here we are, at the end of the lectionary year … already. It’s gone all too quickly for me. This Sunday is the Church’s celebration of the Reign of Christ, traditionally called Christ the King. This marks the high point of so-called Ordinary Time, when we have been celebrating creation in its variety and complexity. Appropriately enough, the liturgical colour for the season has been green these last several months, with a few exceptions along the way. I take this to be for strong growth, new life breaking out and unrestrained, and the expanse of the vast landscape covered – all very vigorous images. There is also th e opposite; green is also gentleness, kindness, peace and quiet.

These last four weeks – All Saints’, Remembered in Love, Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday – reflect a combination of these two opposites. We’ve been heading pell-mell through summer to harvest and listening to parables (incidentally, stories not only with a point, but also a skewer), leading up to this Sunday. And now the colour changes, is positively explosive. Red or white. Expect a blast, a big moment, tan-tan-ta-ra! Certainly, the bible daily readings this week have been leading us in that direction. But this Sunday is none of that.

Through all the readings today, there is a clear challenge to just what rule and leadership looks like, specifically how it is lived. Jeremiah challenges us with the image of a shepherd, which I only partially appreciate, never having engaged with real, live sheep. Jeremiah bluntly accuses the leaders of the people who abuse their power and status, and in this way abuse the people. The people governed are destroyed and scattered and driven away. Jeremiah says the leaders will be judged by God, who will do just the opposite, gather again the people who have been scattered, bring them back so that they are safe and no longer in harm’s way and need no longer be afraid.

Across the Partnership this Sunday we’re encouraged to remind ourselves about our Safeguarding responsibilities. In the readings today I hear an echo of some of the safeguarding material published by thirtyone:eight, an independent, Christian charity supporting survivors and safeguarding training, education and events (https://thirtyoneeight.org/). Leadership includes these qualities:

SPEAK UP – for too long nothing has been said when neglect or abuse is taking place. We cannot let it pass unnoticed.

PUT SURVIVORS FIRST – listen to those who suffer and ensure their needs are put at the heart of any response we make.

CONCEAL NOTHING – when discovered, abuse must be brought into the light and be dealt with openly and transparently.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY – while individuals abuse people, we recognize that our culture of turning away fails people and allows abuse to continue.

MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN – we must learn from any mistakes, and make sure we take active, tangible and timely steps to change and encourage others to do so.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility – basic training is easily accessible and free for all. If you are concerned about anyone’s safety, please speak about it so someone you trust – our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Vivian Onohwakpo (safe@watlingvalley.org.uk), the person responsible for Safeguarding in your church, or one of the ministers. If anyone wishes to disclose abuse to you – emotional, physical, sexual, financial, bullying – please listen. Do not attempt to solve the issue, or question the person or investigate. Do assure them they are not to blame. Please make careful, factual notes of what is said, without interpreting them and with the date. Then please take this to one of those above, and tell the person you’re doing this. Be sure to pass on information only to those who need to know. In this way we each contribute to the safety of our community, and are active members of Christ’s Body, living under his rule, in which every single person is loved and valued, cared for and allowed to flourish.

Barry Lotz