Christ the King Sunday
Today is our great feast day the feast of our church community Christ the King! What a joy it is to have Jesus as our true and eternal King!
The title of Christ’s kingship is found in various forms in scripture: King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11), King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), King of the Ages (Book of Revelation 15:3) and Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5).
Christ's Kingship was addressed in the encyclical Quas Primas of Pope Pius XI, published in 1925, which has been called "possibly one of the most misunderstood and ignored encyclicals of all time." The Pontiff's encyclical quotes with approval Cyril of Alexandria, noting that Jesus' Kingship is not obtained by violence: "'Christ,' he says, 'has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature.'" Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925 to remind Christians that their allegiance was to their spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly supremacy, which was claimed by Benito Mussolini.
Pope Benedict XVI has remarked that Christ's Kingship is not based on "human power" but on loving and serving others. The perfect exemplar of that acceptance, he pointed out, is the Virgin Mary. Her humble and unconditional acceptance of God's will in her life, the Pope noted, was the reason that "God exalted her over all other creatures, and Christ crowned her Queen of heaven and earth."We show our allegiance to Christ our King through our willingness to serve Him and live our lives based on His teachings and example. If Christ is truly our King we must live it, not just say it. Today we are calling our parishioners to turn in their stewardship commitment cards. These cards are a way of truly showing that Jesus is our King. How do I offer Him the Gift of my time? Do I serve him with my talents? And do I offer him a tribute through my tithe? Thank all of you for your generous support to Christ the King and for all of the ways you live your discipleship!
Just a reminder that you can help a soul in purgatory on Christ the King Sunday.
Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence:
1) Public recitation of the prayer "Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King” (listed below),
2) Say one "Our Father” and one "Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope,
3) Make a Sacramental Confession within about a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King, and
4) Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King). Know that one must be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin. (For a better understanding of this one, see this excellent article by Fr. Tim Finigan: "Plenary indulgences not impossible")
The title of Christ’s kingship is found in various forms in scripture: King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11), King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), King of the Ages (Book of Revelation 15:3) and Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5).
Christ's Kingship was addressed in the encyclical Quas Primas of Pope Pius XI, published in 1925, which has been called "possibly one of the most misunderstood and ignored encyclicals of all time." The Pontiff's encyclical quotes with approval Cyril of Alexandria, noting that Jesus' Kingship is not obtained by violence: "'Christ,' he says, 'has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature.'" Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925 to remind Christians that their allegiance was to their spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly supremacy, which was claimed by Benito Mussolini.
Pope Benedict XVI has remarked that Christ's Kingship is not based on "human power" but on loving and serving others. The perfect exemplar of that acceptance, he pointed out, is the Virgin Mary. Her humble and unconditional acceptance of God's will in her life, the Pope noted, was the reason that "God exalted her over all other creatures, and Christ crowned her Queen of heaven and earth."We show our allegiance to Christ our King through our willingness to serve Him and live our lives based on His teachings and example. If Christ is truly our King we must live it, not just say it. Today we are calling our parishioners to turn in their stewardship commitment cards. These cards are a way of truly showing that Jesus is our King. How do I offer Him the Gift of my time? Do I serve him with my talents? And do I offer him a tribute through my tithe? Thank all of you for your generous support to Christ the King and for all of the ways you live your discipleship!
Just a reminder that you can help a soul in purgatory on Christ the King Sunday.
Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence:
1) Public recitation of the prayer "Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King” (listed below),
2) Say one "Our Father” and one "Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope,
3) Make a Sacramental Confession within about a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King, and
4) Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King). Know that one must be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin. (For a better understanding of this one, see this excellent article by Fr. Tim Finigan: "Plenary indulgences not impossible")
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer - Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King
Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before You. We are Yours, and Yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with You, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to Your Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known You; many, too, despising Your precepts, have rejected You. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Your Sacred Heart.
Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken You, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned You; grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of Truth and the unity of Faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Grant, O Lord, to Your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honor forever. Amen