Year 32 No. 21 ST PAULS MEDIA Solemnity of Christ the King (8) — White pastoral ministr AMBUHAY SUNDAY * TV MARIA © 8:30AM © 7:00PM tacesook © EBlibe Issel (eine November 25, 2018 From Ideologies to Individuals, the Search for Redemption Ithough the Church has always proclaimed the kingship of Jesus—Matthew narrates the birth of the King of all kings; on the cross, Jesus is identified as the king of the Jews, whom the centurion also confesses to be “Lord and God"—Pope Pius XI, in his ‘encyclical Quas Primas, instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King in 1925. The proclamation of Jesus’ universal kingship was originally a response to the rise of secularism and totalitarianism in Europe in the aftermath of World War |. From ideas to individuals. Since the Enlightenment, people have looked for solutions to their political and economic woes in ideologies proposing alternative socio-political orders. But the twentieth century has witnessed the failure of capitalism, socialism, communism, and totalitarianism to bring about equal material prosperity and a humane existence for alll. Disillusioned with various ideologies, people are now turning to “strong- men” by whom people expect to be delivered from poverty and disharmony. If we survey current world leaders we see an emerging pattern: people are turning to iron-fisted leaders to bring about societal changes. Previously, young idealistic people committed themselves fully to an ideology espoused by a political movement; now, people are captivated by non-conformists or mavericks promising swift, radical change, never mind the moral issues that are sidestepped in the process of bringing about societal reforms. Hope and disillusionment. As people of the past century were disillusioned with ideologies, so should people today be prepared for disillusionment with some of these charismatic, strong-willed individuals on whom they pin their hopes. Our expectations are various and yet often mutually exclusive or conflicting: Our core values differ. Some advocate protectionist trade policies; others endorse the global exchange of goods and services. Our redeemer figures will not be able to fulfill everyone's expectations. We will be disenchanted. Then, with ideologies; now, with individuals. But in the process, each nation will strive to continue to forge a new economic and political order that will address and adapt to an increasingly complex world today. Human perdition and Divine redemption. We cannot redeem ourselves from ourselves. Despite the brilliance of the human mind and human ingenuity, we have and will continue to bring forth both development and havoc. We realize we cannot deliver ourselves from sin and, ultimately, death. The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us of our inability to save ourselves and our need for God. Christ as ‘our powerful yet merciful king inspires usto redefine our notion of power, from the capacity to dominate others to the capacity toinfluence others to pursue the good, the true, and the just. In his papal bull Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis expresses his hope: “We will entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lordship of Christ, asking him to pour out his mercy upon Us... so that everyone may work together to build a better future” —Fr. Manoling V. Francisco, SJ (@ Pastoral Catechesis for the ‘Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons Dee ream) MM, — Fr James H. Kroeger, Bs the Philippine Church concludes its 2018 celebration of the “Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons,” ‘we can draw inspiration from Pope Francis’ vision of a renewed Church, expressed in an interview on 19 August 2013:”I see clearly that the thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. “"| see the Church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol.and about the level of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds. “| dream of a Church that is a mother and shepherdess. The Church's ministers must be merciful, take responsibility for the people and accompany them like the Good Samaritan, who washes, cleans and raises up his neighbor. This s pure Gospel... The ministers of the Church must be ministers of mercy above all.” Thisisa beautiful formula for our local Church ministers to live as “Renewed Servant-Leaders for the New Evangelization.”COTS Taree b ae sia Entrance Antiphon [Rv 5:12; 1:6] (Recited when there is no opening song) How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honor. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever. Greeting (The sign of the cross is made here) P—The Lord be with you. All—And with your spirit. Introduction (The priest may address the assembly ‘using these or similar words) P— Today's Solemnity of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical calendar. This is fitting because Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of everything. He is the Lord of history. At the end of our journey, we will encounter him to whom we will render an account of our life. Let us celebrate this Eucharist by uniting ourselves with our Priest and King who knows our weaknesses and mercifully intercedes for us before the Father's throne. Penitential Act P — Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Pause) P— You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. All—Lord, have mercy. P — You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. All — Christ, have mercy. P —You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy. All — Lord, have mercy. P — May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. All—Amen, Gloria All — Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, 0 God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy onus; you take away the sins of the world, receive our Prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father, Amen. Collect P— Let us pray. (Pause) 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, one God for ever and ever. All—Amen. rae Atari commutes arog First Reading [Dn 7:13-14] (Sit) The people of God is personified in One like a Son of man and is glorified for its faithfulness. The vision is now applied to Christ who calls himself the Son of Man and receives eternal glory with his death and resurrection. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel AS THE VISIONS during the night continued, | saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like'a Son of man réceived dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. — The word of the Lord All —Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 93) R — The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. robed in ma¥jes - ty! 1. The Loro is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lor and girt about with strength. (R) 2. And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, © Lor. (R) 3. Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed; holiness befits your house, © Loro, for length of days. (R) Second Reading (Rv By virtue of his resurrection from the dead, Christ is declared King of kings. As King, he will come to restore all things to himself. All will be made accountable to him. A reading from the Book of Revelation JESUS CHRIST is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen. “| am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” — The word of the Lord. All— Thanks be to God. Alleluia [Mk 11:9, 10] (Stand) All— 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! Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel (Jn 18:33b-37) P —A reading from the holy Gospel according to John All — Glory to you, O Lord. PILATE said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this ‘on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “| am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting tokeep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say | am a king. For this | was born and for this | came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” — The Gospel of the Lord. All — Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Homily (sit) Profession of Faith (Siand) All — | believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, ofall things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and in- cluding and became man, all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, hesuffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come:again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have noend. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, whowith the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. Ibelieve in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. | confess ‘one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Prayer of the Faithful P — Let us pray that God's kingdom may come and that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. With confidence we pray: R— Lord, King of glory, listen to our prayer. ¢ — For the Holy Father, bishops, .priests, deacons, and all Church leaders: may they work with courage and faith to sow the seed of the Kingdom and that the values of the Gospel may permeate the lives of men and women. We pray: (R) C — For government leaders of the world: may they follow the example of Christ the King who came to serve, and not to be served. May they strive to promote peace, justice, and progress, and protect the weak and the helpless. We pray: (R) C — For the sick and those who suffer: may they discover the healing presence of Christ in their lives. We pray: (R) C — For all of us gathered here: as we close the liturgical year, may our loyalty to Christ come before anything and anyone. We pray: (R) C — For our departed dead: may God forgive their sins and welcome them to his kingdom where they will enjoy everlasting peace. We pray (R) (The urgent concerns of the community are prayed here.) P — Heavenly Father, make us loyal and true followers of Christ, our Savior and King. Amid life's difficulties, may we draw courage from him who has overcome the world and now reigns with you, for ever and ever. All— Amen, Presentation of the Gifts (Stand) P— Pray, brethren... All — May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Prayer over the Offerings P —As we offer you, O Lord, the sacrifice by which the human race is reconciled to you, we humbly pray that your Son himself may bestow on all nations the gifts of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord All — Amen.