Feast Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Solemnity) ~ 2013

The Feast of Christ the King is a moveable feast. It is celebrated on the final Sunday of the liturgical year, which is the last Sunday before Advent starts. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. This solemnity comes at the end of the liturgical year and brings together the mystery of Jesus firstborn from the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. It is celebrated in the Roman Catholic church in honour of Jesus Christ as lord over all creation and it is also observed in Lutheran, Anglican, and other Protestant churches. During every Advent season, we the faithful await the "coming King", the King of peace and the light of hope that takes away the darkness forever at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus and also for the second coming of the Lord as which marks the end of times. Jesus was born of Judah tribe of Kings, came to serve all and his kingdom is divine. Today we are honouring Jesus the King who humbled himself in order to raise us up to the status of the Sons of God, a king who suffered the cruellest of deaths as a sacrificial Lamb of God so that we could have an unending life of happiness when we leave this earth at end of times when Jesus will come as the Lion of Judah, the righteous King and Judge.

Philippians 2:10-11

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue acknowledge 

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Sunday, November 24, 2013
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Solemnity)

Reading 1

2 Samuel 5: 1 - 3
1	Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
2	In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you that led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD said to you, `You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"
3	So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Psalm

Psalms 122: 1 - 5
1	I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2	Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3	Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
4	to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5	There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Reading 2

Colossians 1: 12 - 20
12	giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13	He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14	in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15	He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;
16	for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities -- all things were created through him and for him.
17	He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18	He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
19	For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,
20	and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Gospel

Luke 23: 35 - 43
35	And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!"
36	The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar,
37	and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
38	There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."
39	One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40	But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41	And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
42	And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43	And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Prayer to Christ the King

O Christ Jesus, I acknowledge Thee to be the King of the universe: all that has been made is created for Thee. Exercise over me all Thy sovereign rights. I hereby renew the promises of my Baptism, renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps, and I engage myself to lead henceforth a truly Christian life. And in an especial manner do I undertake to bring about the triumph of the rights of God and Thy Church, so far as in me lies. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my poor actions to obtain the acknowledgment by every heart of Thy sacred Kingly power. In such wise may the kingdom of Thy peace be firmly established throughout all the earth. Amen.

Prayer Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955