by Faith Central & Steve Welsh
“… Then he said, ‘#Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'”
“As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.'”
“… ‘Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things;
because of your will they came to be and were created.’ … “
On the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, the final Sunday of Ordinary Time and of the entire Liturgical Year marks the Solemnity of Christ the King. Advent and the new Liturgical Year start a week later. The USCCB provides inspirational background on the Solemnity of Christ the King, excerpts of which follow:
“Each year at the conclusion of the liturgical year, we fittingly celebrate the Solemnity of #Christ the King. As the Apostle St. Paul teaches us, ‘In Jesus Christ] every thing in heaven and earth was created… and continues in being’ …. He is the ‘Alpha and Omega,’ the ‘Beginning and End,’ the ‘Way, Truth, and Life.’ Indeed, Christ promises to His faithful friends the gift of salvation, the pledge of everlasting life through His Resurrection. Therefore, faithfulness to Christ, our King, opens the door to our eternal happiness.
* * *
Bearing witness to the truth in this age can be difficult. But Christ has shown us that ‘kingship’ must always be at the service of the good of mankind. Therefore, with His Grace and in hope of His Gift of Salvation, let us bear witness to the truth, even when it is unpopular or costly to do so. In this way, we become faithful servants of Christ, preparing the way for His Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.”
… “‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
then I will enter his house and dine with him,
and he with me.
I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne,
as I myself first won the victory
and sit with my Father on his throne.” ….
“… Being aware of so many sins, what is the point of knowing the Savior will one day come if he has not come into my soul, if he is not recalled to my mind, if Christ does not live in me, if Christ does not speak in me? So it is to me Christ must come and it is for my sake his coming must take place. …”
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place;and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. … By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
“During the month of November, the Church has us ponder the Four Last Things: death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell. As the golden gown of autumn gives way to the lifeless look of winter, we are encouraged to see that our lives are on a trajectory that leads to autumn and then to the winter of death. But those who have faith know that this passage to death ultimately leads to glory. Scripture says, And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17).”
Catholic Mass for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nov. 13, 2016, from “Heart of the Nation” in Wisconsin.
Click here for Mass Readings from the USCCB and the NABRV.
“Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your Spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your Mother, in union with Mary we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.
Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy, born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners — on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give ourselves to you. Protect us from every harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.
Amen.”