ICF - Professions of Faith

Sunday 22nd November 2026 - Last Sunday after Pentecost - Christ the King

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46
(Alternatives: Psalm 95:1-7a)

The workplace context which dominates this week's readings is that of a Shepherd; this is an image which Scripture regularly uses to speak of God's care and oversight for His people. This was of course a very common profession at the time that these narratives were written, so it might offer the chance for a congregation to reflect on what are the key images of care and oversight in our society today. There are several directions in which this might be developed to connect with the working lives of a congregation:

We might reflect and pray for those who continue to work in agriculture and the care and well-being of animals.

A congregation might be encouraged to reflect on those in contemporary caring professions and to pray for them and those for whom they are responsible. This couples with one of the core themes in the Gospel reading.

This is not the first time Ezekiel has used the image of a Shepherd. In the early chapters of his book, he speaks of the rulers of Israel in such terms, often offering a critique of their performance. This might lead a congregation to pray for those in positions of leadership and authority in our own society.

We might note, particularly by the New Testament period, that the image of a Shepherd was not a very positive one. God identifies himself with a role that many had learned to stigmatise and despise. A congregation might be encouraged to consider which professions are viewed in such terms in our own society; perhaps even repenting of their own attitudes and prejudices. There are obvious themes for prayer, reflection and action which might be developed from this.

We might recognise that the image of a shepherd continues to be a common one when describing the care and pastoring of God's people. This could lead a congregation to recognise the working lives of clergy and other church workers and to pray for them, this might include praying for organisations within the Christian community and beyond who provide pastoral care and support. There are some resonances within the reading from Ephesians that might be included in this.

The dynamic might be applied more widely. Recognising the resonance between the Shepherd's care and the care of God for His people, a congregation might consider how each of us reflects God's nature and priorities in our own working lives.

The Gospel and Old Testament readings introduce a further aspect of the role of a Shepherd which is perhaps less comfortable. God is presented as a judge separating the sheep from the goats, the good stock from the bad. God's judgement is not an easy issue, and so we might recognise that for many people, being at work can often involve making difficult and troubling decisions. This presents an opportunity to pray for all those who are confronted by such realities, and those who may be affected by the decisions they have to make.