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Candle Lighting Prayer

November 24, 2024

34th Sunday
Ordinary Time

FOCUS:    Jesus is King and Lord of all both now and forever. 

 

The readings from Daniel and the Book of Revelation share an apocalyptic vision of the Son of Man coming on the clouds to rule over all peoples. In John’s Gospel, on the other hand, Jesus is already king. His everlasting authority comes from God. For his disciples – those who listen to his voice – eternal life is already possible.   

What's in Your Heart

  • The feast of Christ the King recognizes the triumph of Jesus, the one who testified to the truth with his words and with his life. Reverend John Buchanan, who was the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, said, “When it comes to ultimate truth, the most appropriate posture is modesty, silence, reverence, not propounding, shouting, condemning.” What was Jesus’ posture before Pilate when asked to testify about himself? How do I respond to Jesus’ claims of ultimate truth in my own life ?

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  • Pilate asks Jesus, “What have you done?” assuming he must have done something wrong to be in such trouble with his own religious leaders. What do I believe that Jesus did that brought him to such trouble with the powers? 

Homily Stories

In History of the World, Mel Brooks, playing Louis XVI, had a running gag: “It’s good to be the king.” It implied that the king was free to do whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted, and however he wanted to do it. Funny? Maybe. Historical? Not at all. What he really was describing was a despot or a dictator, not a true king.

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In reality, a king was more like who Arthur grew to become in the movie Excaliber, a person who reflected the strength and beauty of the people during good times and the limitations and weaknesses when things weren’t going well. Without the consent and hearts of the people, a king dominates with force and fear only.

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Today we proudly proclaim Christ as our King. That means we freely take up the task of being loving, kind, and compassionate so as to reflect those qualities of Jesus.

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Jesus does not force himself upon us. We listen to him. We know that his message is true, and so we respond. And in so doing we help him create a Kingdom that will not be destroyed, a Kingdom of hope, and a Kingdom of justice for all. And the more that we live out our faith, the greater the grandeur of Christ our King will be revealed to the world. It is an awesome responsibility and partnership that we share.

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Father Dominic Grassi

Stained Glass Light
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First Reading

Reading 1. Christ the King
00:00 / 00:41

Second Reading

Reading 2. Christ the King
00:00 / 01:02

Quotes

A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.
—Eleanor Roosevelt

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If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
—John Quincy Adams

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