What defines us, or are we sheep or goats?

This week as we welcome a new member of God’s church in baptism – the Community of the Little Ones (as Matthew calls us), we are reminded of God’s grace. We also celebrate Christ the King and mark the end of another liturgical year. As we finish our time with Matthew we are offered his version of Jesus final piece of teaching – the story of the sheep and the goats. Being part of Matthew’s community should change how we see ourselves, each other and all people. Christ the King does not mean we can lord it over people, but follow Christ’s way of servanthood.

This week I was one of several people speaking to the City Council on Easter Sunday trading. I included the following quote from our Archbishops.  As we hear think of sheep and goats and look towards Christmas may we keep these words in mind. “The market has permeated every aspect of our life. The question that we are faced with, and which Easter Sunday reminds us of, is whether the market ultimately defines who we are, or whether there is any human value that can exist outside the market – values like care for others, compassion for those in need, justice, integrity, hope…..Are we simply consumers, running like hamsters on a wheel in a market place, or is there more to us than this?  We believe that there is more to life than this.”