In this sermon, based on Matthew 25: 31-46, the assigned gospel for Christ the King Sunday, I explore a classic apocalyptic parable - the Judgment of the Nations. Instead of pounding on the pulpit, in the fashion of hell fire preachers, I spent some time in holy wondering about the confusion that both the sheep and the goats have after the judgment. Both groups don't seem to recall when it was that they saw the Lord in need. Jesus directs their attention, and our own to the "least of these." God, in Jesus, chooses to be in solidarity with the world's struggling and suffering people. We are invited not only to recognize Jesus among the least but also invited to reach out to them.

One of the illustrations that is used in this sermon is Le Chambon. This village in Southern France provided sanctuary to refugees (including between 3,000-3,500 Jews) during the Nazi occupation and World War II. When the villagers afterwards were asked why they did what they did - they were perplexed by the question. Isn't this what Christians did? To read more about this amazing story: click here for info from US Holocaust Museum, for info from Wikipedia.

Who are the ones who are "the least of these" in our culture? How might we, in a divided time, come together as Christians to share kindness, grace, love, and God's radical hospitality with them?