Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year C - Sunday, November 20, 2022 (EPISODE-392 )

Readings for Sunday, November 20, 2022 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year C
FIRST READING: 2 Sam 5:1-3
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5. "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord"
SECOND READING: Col 1:12-20
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mark 11:9b+10a). Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our Father; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
GOSPEL: Luke 23:35-43

Image: By Thoom. Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 322637498. "Wooden cross with a crown of thorns on a white cloth background."
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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 C - Sunday, November 20, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-christ-the-universal-king-year-c-episode-392/s-iEtJV9tuR1P  (EPISODE-392 )
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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. God's Kingdom is established and present amongst us and within us, but only partially revealed. At the end of time, all things are subject to Christ. Meanwhile, we Disciples of Christ are happy to assist in the building up of the Kingdom of God through our everyday actions and choices. God's 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.
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What a perfect gospel to represent the Kingship of Our Lord. Even if it is surprising and thought provoking.

 It reveals a stark contrast:

 A King is ordinarily portrayed sitting in glory on a magnificent throne, dressed in fine clothes, with attendants beside him and surrounded by the trappings of his power.

But, here is Jesus the king- ruling from the Cross- With no trappings of power. Except for the power of love.

As the writer Bruce Prewer puts it, so wonderfully:-
"What should the worldly-wise do with an "un-kingly" king?
Who:
-flatly refuses to take authority over armies
- who will not grant cabinet posts to cronies
- who will not, even for one day, live in a palace
- who refuses to hate enemies or plot their downfall
- who mixes in common crowds without any sense of royal dignity
- who won't have a bodyguard or wear a safety vest
- who refuses to play political games or engage in betrayals or backstabbing in order to increase his power
- who will not dress in gilded robes, or wear a jewelled crown?
Oh what on earth, indeed, would the worldly-wise do with such an "un-kingly" king?**

Today is a day when we are asked to turn an idea upside down.
To firmly take words such as "king" and "power," "strength" and "victory" and turn the meaning of these words inside-out.
 Christ is our King, the monarch of all things. He is that humble, compassionate person who–
"- never went to university
- never wrote a book,
- never held any public office,
- had few if any friends in high places on earth,
- in his adult life, never travelled far from his tiny home country,
- never met anyone much more important than a provincial governor or some foreign wise men.
His only crown was a terrible wreath of thorns.
His only throne two crossed planks of wood – forming a cross.
(no earthly court for this king. Rather, at his right hand, and at his left, two dying thieves)."**

It is fitting that the end of the church year declares Jesus to be the King of Heaven and of Earth. The Lord Jesus is King of the universe. At the end of all things, Christ's universal Kingship will be revealed in its fullness.

The Lord is rightly the king of our world, our lives, our priorities, our plans, our hopes and dreams. If only the Lord Jesus, establish your Kingdom values in our lives now. We long to have our lives transformed by the peace, justice, love and forgiveness that marks his gospel.

On this feast of Christ the King. I am thinking particularly of the complete transformation God has done to our concept of "Kingship," "power," "authority" and even of the usual definition for "victory" and "success".

Our previous human concepts of these words and their meanings are (to put it bluntly) pretty shabby. Not far from the surface, many people have the ingrained belief that "power" is about "dominance" and "having the upper hand" over others. It often goes hand in hand with the "use of force" or the "implied threat of force." In rather limited human terms, many think that "authority" is about who can push their point of view the strongest, loudest or longest. Kingship is often considered to be about separation, and distance, privilege, prestige and aloofness. Power often seems to be about winners and losers. It is also often considered to be about 'survival of the fittest' - // 'all is fair in love and war,' and 'eat or be eaten'.

So, In comes God. And, (through the life and example of Jesus), totally transforms the meaning and definition of these things. It is such a surprising transformation, that you can hardly recognise that it is the same thing. And many in this world will never accept or recognise that God's definition of these things is the right one.

"God- with- us" came down very close to us. He was not a distant authority but one who has lived in our flesh and known our experience. 'Being there' for others is such an important gift and skill. Time is the most important gift we can give and it should be given generously. But sometimes work, illness and circumstances hamper our availability to "be there" for others. But we keep searching for ways of being present to others in need. Whether it is. Letters, cards, phone calls and the like.

Jesus sets clear principles on behaviour. We all know the 'Golden Rule', that we should be compassionate, forgiving etc. We need to love the way Jesus loves, setting clear principles in our lives so that we and those around us can be our best selves with behaviour that makes us fully human, and fully alive. Jesus loves us, but that is very different from telling us to do what we like.

Jesus sets the example. The behaviour Jesus wants us to do, he himself did first. Our Lord did in actions, what he said with his words.

Jesus loves us as a parent loves us. Not for what we can give or do back; but simply because we are created in God's image.as are all people.

The world cries out for this newly renovated definition of authority, power, victory and kingship. Which is more about family and relationships, care, protection .and love.

 Out goes "survival of the fittest," and in comes a Kingdom of people who ensure that the frail and the weakest members are not left behind. And indeed who are carried along with us- on our tough journey to God's house. - The Kingdom shows that a truly Christ- like community is discerned by how much the most vulnerable are protected by the strongest.

We today celebrate that we desire more than anything to participate in and hold true to the values of Christ. (the King and his Kingdom). Which we joyfully and humbly admit is the true way in all things.

To you, Christ our King:
We bring our lust for power and set it down before your rejection of power.
We bring our love of money and place it before your willing poverty.
We bring our stubborn pride and set it before your utter humility.
We bring our pay- back mentality and lay it before your mercifulness.
We bring our desire for self- glory and put before your passion for the Father's glory, not yours.
We bring our inveterate self- interest and rest it before your self-giving.
We bring all our vain wisdom and lay it before the "folly" of your cross.**

 - To Jesus- Lord of All the earth. To you be honour, glory and true power and authority, forever and ever- Amen-

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

**Brief Prayers for Busy People. Author: Bruce D Prewer. ISBN 978- 1- 62880- 090- 6). Web site www.acresources.com.au

Kym Harris, a Benedictine nun from Tanby near Rockhampton. On "Celebrating Jesus' authority."

Image: By Thoom. Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 322637498. "Wooden cross with a crown of thorns on a white cloth background."


Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Year C  (Sunday, November 20, 2022) (EPISODE-392 )

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{May God's love, strength, mercy and kindness guide you all this week.}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: 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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Ps 122:1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5. "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord"

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mark 11:9b+10a). Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our Father; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
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, King of the Universe
Eucharistic Prayer II

(theme variation:  4)

(welcome cycle-   (welcome 3) Good evening/morning. A special welcome to our visitors this weekend. We are a welcoming community and wish you a fantastic stay in our piece of Paradise….. We hope you are warmly welcomed by our friendly happy faces……. Our parish has welcomed many thousands of visitors over the years, and we hope you feel welcomed in sharing this Eucharist us. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent.  Our Presider tonight / today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)

(pre+post variation: v2-long)
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{May God's love, strength, mercy and kindness guide you all this week.}

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
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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.

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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