Church of the Sacred Heart
SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING
23 & 24 NOVEMBER 2024
Collect
Let us pray.
Almighty ever-living God,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of the universe,
grant, we pray,
that the whole creation, set free from slavery,
may render your majesty service
and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.
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.
Amen.
First Reading
A reading from the prophet Daniel. 7:13-14
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
I gazed into the visions of the night.
And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
The word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed;
the Lord has robed himself with might,
he has girded himself with power.
R. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The world you made firm, not to be moved;
your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are.
R. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time.
R. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
Second Reading
A reading from the book of the Apocalypse. 1:5-8
Rule of the kings of the earth… he made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God
Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the First-Born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. It is he who is coming on the clouds; everyone will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the races of the earth will mourn over him. This is the truth. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’ says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
The word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
Alleluia!
Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. 18:33-37
Response: Glory to you, O Lord.
It is you who say that I am a king
‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’ ‘So you are a king then?’ said Pilate. ‘It is you who say it’ answered Jesus. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Of The Faithful
Introduction: Having reflected on the meaning of Jesus’ kingship, and acknowledging this King of Kings, we come to place our petitions, through Him, into God’s hands.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
1. That world leaders guided by the principles and priorities of their nation, unite to be ready to forgive and embrace differences, and so, build God’s kingdom of peace. We pray to the Lord.
2. That Church authorities and leaders model their leadership after Jesus’ way of kingship in bearing witness to the truth. We pray to the Lord.
3. That all who follow Jesus understand the true meaning of his kingship, and promote unity, peace and love in true service to humankind. We pray to the Lord.
4. That all Christians use their talents for the common good of bringing about the kingdom of God. We pray to the Lord.
5. That Christ our crucified King fill the hearts of those who suffer persecution, humiliation and injustice with His merciful love and compassion. We pray to the Lord.
6. That as the liturgical year draws to a close, we acknowledge with grateful hearts Christ our King as our beginning and end. We pray to the Lord.
7. We now pray in silence for other needs and intentions …
For these other needs and intentions, We pray to the Lord.
Conclusion: O God of glory and majesty, we confidently place our petitions before you. Save us from becoming trapped in the values of the world. May the promise of your heavenly kingdom be our constant reminder that Jesus is the King of our lives and the whole world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.