Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year A –
Sunday, November 22, 2020
(EPISODE: 262)
FIRST READING: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm 23:1-2a, 2b-3, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mark 11:9b+10a). Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on Him who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our father David.
GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46
Image: shutterstock licensed. ID: 1668219532. Biblical silhouette illustration series, the Judgement day theme. By rudall30
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Please listen to the audio-recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year A - Sunday, November 22, 2020 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-34a-episode-262-jesus-christ-king-of-the-universe-2020. (due to ill-health, some of the elements of this recording are archival).
(EPISODE: 262)
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Prologue: The church liturgical year is slightly different from the calendar year, by about a month. The last Sunday of the church liturgical year ends rightly with a celebration of Christ who is King of heaven and earth. Christ has already won the victory over sin and death and he now is King of the Universe. Gods Kingdom is established and present amongst us and within us, but it is not yet fully revealed. At the end of time, all things will be put under Christ's feet. Meanwhile, we disciples of Christ are happy to assist in the building up of the Kingdom of God but our everyday actions and choices. Gods kingdom is one of peace and justice and compassion. We yearn for the fullness of this Kingdom - and rejoice that its foundations are firm and everlasting. Nothing can hold out against it.
We move forward, joyfully remembering always that the Lord is Good. that, God's mercy and faithfulness endures from age to age!!"
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Homily by Fr Peter Dillon:
Have you ever noticed how really generous people always seem happy? We incorrectly assume that if people are always giving something away to others that they might be a bit resentful, but no, they often seem ready to give more than is asked for or needed. Other people, a bit like myself, usually weigh up the returns or inconvenience to self before compassion kicks in. we might ask, is this person deserving or will they take my generosity for granted? Why should I be generous when I see others who aren't? I wish someone would accuse me of being generous to a fault. I find the most generous people are not always the richest.
My grandfather was one of those people who would embarrass us with his generosity. He would leave his homegrown fruit and vegetables on the neighbours back steps or mow their footpath when they didn't ask for it. He would buy lollies and hand them out to people on the bus. He noticed things and was never embarrassed to be kind. I didn't realise it at the time, but I was learning then what kindness looked like, but it took a while before I discovered what kindness felt like.
Saint Theresa of Calcutta has said:
"The worst disease in the world is the feeling of being unwanted, and the greatest evil is the lack of love. What the poor need more than food, clothing and shelter, is to be wanted."
Sometimes it's easier to reach into our wallet or purse and donate a few dollars, instead of having to sit down and listen and spend that valuable time that has become such a precious commodity. If only people just needed a handout, then it would be a simple matter of "Yes" or "No". It is important to know that sometimes what people really need is not what they actually ask for.
The King will say to those on his left: 'Depart from me, for I was hungry, not for food but for a smile, and all I got from you was sour looks. I was hungry for a word of encouragement, but all you did was criticise me. I was hungry for a word of appreciation, but you didn't give me so much as a crumb.
'I was thirsty, not for drink, but for a word of recognition, but all you did was nag and give out to me. I was thirsty for a sign of friendship, but you ignored me. I was thirsty for a little companionship, but you never gave me a drop.
'I was a stranger, and you refused to have anything to do with me. I was a child and you forbade your children to play with me because my clothes were dirty. I was a neighbour, and you wouldn't allow me into your club because I wasn't in your class.
'I was naked, not because I lacked clothes, but because I lacked self-worth, and you refused to cover me. I was stripped of self-confidence, and you made me feel the chill wind of disapproval. I was naked from the loss of my good name through a story that wasn't true, and you refused to clothe me with the garment of truth. I was sick, not in body, but with doubt and worry, and you never even noticed. I was wounded by failure and disappointment, and you couldn't care less. I was sunk in depression, desperately needing the medicine of hope, and all you did was blame me.
'I was a prisoner, but not behind iron bars. I was a prisoner of nerves, and you shunned me. I was a prisoner of loneliness, and you gave me the cold shoulder. I was a prisoner of guilt, and you could have set me free by forgiving me, but you let me languish there to punish me.
'I was homeless, not for want of a home-made of bricks and mortar, but for the want of tenderness and affection, and you left me out in the cold. I was homeless for the want of sympathy and understanding, and you treated me as if I was a block of wood. I was homeless for want of love and acceptance and you locked me out of your heart.
Pray for the gift of being alert, of knowing how to see where we can show kindness. Pray for the gift of seeing God, where other people see a nuisance or a problem. Pray that we will never be seen as that nuisance. Pray that you will be able to be the giver rather than the receiver. That would mean that we might be happier people.
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References:
homily – fr Peter Dillon
Prologue - Fr Paul Kelly
New Jerome Bible Handbook. Geoffrey Chapman Publishers. 1992;
"2008 – a Book of Grace-filled Days," by Lavonne Neff;
"Monastery of Christ in the Desert," Abbott's Homily, http://christdesert.org ;
"Vision – Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way. Year A"
Image: shutterstock licensed. ID: 1668219532. Biblical silhouette illustration series, the Judgement day theme. By rudall30
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year A (Sunday, November 22, 2020) (EPISODE: 262 )
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Hello everyone, this is Fr Paul Kelly… and May God's Spirit of Wisdom and Awe abide in you.}}
Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord,s supper, on this special Feast of Christ the King of the Universe, let us first recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Christ the King
Eucharistic Prayer I
Communion side. pwk: RH
(theme variation: 4 )
(pre+post variation: 2)
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{heartfelt thanks to you all for uniting in prayer and reflecting upon God's goodness and care.}
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
[ Production - KER - 2020]
May God bless and keep you.
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