Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe
St. John's Church
November 21, 2021
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Father Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
Today’s Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe concludes our Liturgical Year. It is a relatively modern feast which was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as part of the Jubilee Year. Through this feast, the Holy Father wanted to reassert the ultimate, universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ and his law of truth and love. The second reading’s passage from Revelation reminds us: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” This brings to mind the tradition of our elder sisters and brothers in the faith. On the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, which fell on October 31st, in the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses spoke to the people the words which became known as the Shema Yisrael prayer. Its first verse - Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! – proclaims the monotheistic essence of Judaism. To this day it serves as the centerpiece of Jewish morning and evening prayer. Likewise, we would do well to offer the prayer of Consecration to Christ our King. It concludes:
Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations, and 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
Finally, on the subject of the power of praying together – included with this bulletin and at the tables in the back of church and side exits are copies of the latest and more hopeful version of the Prayer in Time of Pandemic. It concludes with our deep hope as we conclude the Liturgical Year: …trusting in your loving protection we might see the end of this pandemic and rejoice in your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord. AMEN
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Daniel 7
As the visions during the night continued, I 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 received 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.
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 received 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.
Responsorial: Psalm 93
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
2nd Reading: Revelation 1
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.
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.
"I 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 one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."
Alleluia
R. 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!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 18
R. 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!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 18
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, "I 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
to keep 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 I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
"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, "I 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
to keep 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 I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson. (Steve S)
- Please pray for John Lajoie and Toby as they fight there serious illnesses. (Cynthia D)
- Please Please pray for my daughter Lisa. She is suffering from Lyme disease and doesn’t want to live anymore. She is losing her house and doesn’t think her family cares. (Donna B)
- Please pray for my Sister-in-law who will need additional surgery to her arms and elbows after falling at Church (Barbara K)
- My family’s good health and all who will be alone on Thanksgiving. (Anne L)
- Please pray for the soul of Joshua Peter (Sophie K)
- Please pray for my marriage, my daughter with her transition into her new school, making friends doing well in her academics, finding a permanent place to live. Thank you in Jesus name I pray (Kerri N)
- For a dear friend who is worried they may have cancer. (Melanie F)
- Praying for the repose of the soul of Holy Cross Jesuit Rev. Charles Dunn, SJ who died on Thursday at the age of 98 at Campion Center. (Donna W)
- For Sue who needs housing as soon as possible to get out of a toxic relationship. (Sandra K)
- Please pray for healing for those in need. Special intentions for Kristina, Carol, and Braydon ! Thank you 🙏(Kathleen L)
- For Bruce who recently had a stroke and for special intentions (Dan S)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection,
please click the REPLY button at the bottom of any
"St. John's Church (General)" email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Dignus est Agnus
Communio
Sedebit Dominus Rex
Motet
Guade et Laetare
Parish Resources
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