Christ the King
Intro: As we come to the end of the Church's year, we celebrate the kingship of Christ, Whose throne was a cross, and Whose crown was one of thorns. His Kingdom is one of justice, love and peace, won only through suffering and death. Today we pray for the grace to continue the work of building up that Kingdom here
on earth.
Readings: The Book of Samuel relates how King Saul is defeated in battle, and David is anointed as King of Israel in his place.
Paul presents the Colossians with a hymn about the divinity of Christ, and tells them to fear nothing, because all things are to be reconciled through Him.
2 Samuel 5: 1 - 3;
Colossians 1: 11 - 20;
Luke 23: 35 -43;
In today's second reading, St. Paul reflects on the meaning of Jesus' death. He sees it as fulfilling God's plan to reconcile all things, to overcome the power of darkness, and to create a place for us in the Kingdom of His beloved Son.
All through this year, we've listened to St. Luke's Gospel, which is sometimes called the Gospel of mercy, where, in the very first chapter, Mary proclaims that "God has come to the help of Israel His servant, mindful of His mercy." Today, almost at the end of his Gospel, Luke paints a moving scene of Jesus on the cross where He's hailed as king, but it's intended to be an empty mockery - even Pilate's inscription "This is the King of the Jews" is his cynical way of offending the chief priests while at the same time declaring: this is what happens to anyone in his domain who pretends to be a king.
Yet set against this whole background of abuse and jeering, a single courageous voice is raised in Jesus' defence. Incredibly, it comes from one of the men suffering a similar fate as he asks for Jesus to remember him when He comes into is Kingdom. Jesus' reply: "I promise you, today you will be with Me in paradise." His kingship lies in His expression of the mercy of God.
Jesus is the most unlikely figure of a king: rejected and crucified; as He proclaims His kingdom is not of this world. And yet, His Gospel of love, self-sacrifice and
service, His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, have produced a whole new world - a kingdom where Christ the King rules over the minds and hearts of all who believe, a kingdom which will only be fully revealed in Heaven.
In our Mass, we bring our gifts to the altar, and with them, our lives, our hopes and aspirations, our problems and ourselves as our offering to God. At the end of Mass, we're sent out in the name of Christ to translate into action what we've just celebrated. Our task, this week, and every week, is to live lives which in some measure reflect the unselfish love of Jesus, the servant King, Who came not to be served, but to serve, and Who served, even to His death on the cross.
We're all leaders in one way or another - responsibility at work - voluntary jobs or ministries - many of you have families, and there's no more sacrificial leadership than parenthood!
Whatever strength, authority or wisdom we have, we exercise humbly, as Our Lord did, for the sake of others.
On this feast of Christ the King, let's celebrate the beginning of the fulfilment of God's plan by committing ourselves once again in the ongoing work of
reconciliation and peace in our world.
And finally, Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom!
Intercessions
The good thief's prayer was generously answered at Calvary. Let us have the same confidence that the prayers which we offer now will be answered just as generously:-
1. For Your Church here on earth. May its leaders continue to exercise their authority with love, humility and generosity and guide us, in promoting the Gospel of peace - Lord, hear us.
2. For world leaders. May they play their part in promoting justice and peace between nations divided by generations of fear or hatred, that they may respond to the call for forgiveness and reconciliation - Lord, hear us.
3. For our young people. May we provide them with good role models of Christ-like love and service - Lord, hear us.
4. For all who have died, and gone before us in the ways of faith: Tommy Reilly, who died recently; for the aniversaries of Jack McPhilemy, John Coletta, Margaret Dunn, Catherine McKenna, William Geary, Agnes Beaulieu, Agnes & Joseph McKenna, William, Ellen, John & Mary Graham„William & Agnes Thomson, together with all those who are most in our thoughts and prayers in this month of the Holy Souls. Gather them into Your Kingdom for all eternity - Lord, hear us.
God our Father, hear these, our prayers, and help us to live in unity with You and one another.