AN “ORDINARY” KING
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: Kings stand for power, riches, splendour. On the feast of Christ the King, what kind of king do we celebrate? A man wearing a crown of thorns in a purple mantle and standing as an accused criminal before Pilate! His kingship is in the truth of the power of God’s love to which Jesus testifies. Let us thank God for showing us that authority lies in truth and humility. And we pray that we may imitate him.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not accepted Jesus’ style of kingship, we ask his mercy.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, king of our hearts,
you were born one of us in the poverty of a crib in a stable:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, king of the people,
you came to be the servant of all, especially the sick and sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, king of the universe,
your love went so far as to make you lay down your life for all:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Almighty and eternal God,
to Jesus Christ,
you have granted everlasting dominion
and a kingship that shall not pass away.
Remove from us every desire for privilege and power,
that we may imitate the sacrificial love of Christ our King
and serve you humbly in our brothers and sisters.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Daniel 7:13-14
Psalm Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5
Response The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Reading 2 Revelation 1:5-8
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Gospel John 18:33b-37
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are in the praetorium. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate?
Sunday Snippets
Arthur was the first-born son of King Pendragon of England. Since they lived in troubled times, Merlin, the wise magician, advised that the child should be raised in a secret place without anyone knowing his identity. Arthur grew up as an “ordinary” lad; he lived among his people unspoiled and unsullied by the grandeur of royalty. That experience stood him in good stead—when he became king, he was kind and loving; he embodied loyalty, strength, boldness, and faithfulness.
Arthur is, perhaps, a legendary figure! But his story is like the story of our Universal King: Jesus.
Jesus was born to a humble carpenter and a lowly maiden in obscure Nazareth; he grew up as an ordinary lad and did the ordinary things that other ordinary lads did. For much of his life, few knew his true identity.
Jesus grew up to be king unlike any other. In his conversation with Pilate, he states: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world.
- His kingdom was not for the nobility; it was for all people, especially the poor, the lost, the marginalized. His kingdom has no boundaries and goes beyond nationality; it is an everlasting kingdom (see the first reading from Daniel);
- His kingship was not of power and domination; it was the way of powerless and freedom.
- He had no palace; he was born in a manger, had no place to lay his head during his public ministry, and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
- His crown was made of thorns; his throne was the cross.
- His authority is that of humble and loving service; he put on a towel and became a slave to his apostles.
- As king, he does not expect people to die for him; he goes to his death for them (see the second reading from the Book of Revelation).
We are subjects of this “ordinary” king who is extraordinary. To be subject to him is to experience love and acceptance, liberation and peace. Will I be his true subject? If so, how will I imitate this ordinary and servant king?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: Compare/contrast Jesus’ kingdom with countries that have powerful political organizations. How are the objectives different in God’s kingdom and in these countries?
Reading 2: How can I cooperate in the consecration (“making holy”) of the universe to God? Is working on the care for creation a way of consecrating the universe?
Gospel: Which of my values reflect the values of the world? What can I do to change them?
What does “testifying to the truth” mean? How did Jesus testify to the truth? How can I testify to the truth?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Let us turn to God our Father, the source of all that is good, asking him, with humble hearts, for all that we need to live in his light as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that our belief in Christ as King may lead us to value the things of God’s kingdom more than the things of earth, we pray…
R: For leaders of government: that they may recognize that their authority comes from God and that it is intended for the service of the human community, we pray…
R: For all whose commitment to the truth brings them into conflict with the social, governmental, and religious authorities: that they may learn from and be strengthened by Christ, the suffering servant of truth, we pray…
R: For all who are rebuilding their lives: that God may restore the sick to health, guide the unemployed to new opportunities, provide resources to those recovering from natural disasters, and comfort those who are grieving, we pray…
R: For protection of the earth: that God may guide world leaders and each of us in caring for the earth and give us the courage to follow through on difficult choices to preserve our common home, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may follow Christ in using our power and abilities to wash the feet of others, speak up for those who are oppressed, and help carry the burdens of those who are suffering, we pray…
L: God, our Father, your Son showed us the meaning of kingship and authority. Like him and with him commit us totally to you and to people, in generous love and dedicated service. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
Pilate held you in his power
and sentenced you to a shameful death;
you ended on the cross:
poor, dishonoured, in pain, and dying.
You accepted these afflictions
and turned all worldly standards upside down:
what people reject as the worst things
turn out in your crucifixion to be salvific.
On the cross, you manifest that real winning
is what looks to the world like losing.
And you set the standard for all Christians.
Lord,
help me understand that
through suffering you became the King of kings,
and through sharing in your suffering,
I will share in your glorious kingdom.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God our Father,
you sent us Jesus your Son
as the humble servant of your love,
who offered his life on the cross for all.
Help us to learn from him
that authority is service,
and that to give our life to our brothers and sisters
is to find joy that no one can take away from us.
Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
No comments:
Post a Comment