Presider’s Page for 20 November (Christ the King)
SONGS THIS SUNDAY (Suggestions) ‘Hail Redeemer King Divine’; ‘All That I Am’; ‘Praise to the Holiest in the Height’; ‘How Great Thou Art’.
Opening Comment
We celebrate the feast of Christ the King this Sunday, remembering that our king’s life ended on a cross. Today we worship this wounded and resurrected God, who promises us a place in Paradise.
Penitential Rite
As we struggle to be our King’s true disciples, we recall our failings and his forgiving strength (pause):
Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father: Lord, have mercy
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
you gave us your Son,
the beloved one who was rejected,
the Saviour who appeared defeated.
Yet the mystery of his kingship illumines our lives.
Show us in his death the victory that crowns the ages,
and in his broken body the love that unites heaven and earth.
We ask this 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.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
2 Samuel 5:1-3 The choosing of David as King of Israel in ancient times.
Colossians 1:12-20 Jesus is given all the titles a king would have.
Luke 23:35-43 On the cross, Jesus promises heaven to the good thief.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) With joy in our hearts on this feast, let us bring our prayers to God.
- For the Pope Francis and all the bishops, that they may be true servants, like Christ our King (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the Jewish people, that they may continue to grow in the love of God’s name (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For world leaders, at home and abroad, that they may work for human rights for all (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For migrants and refugees, that they may find true compassion (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For all who serve the community, that they may not give in to discouragement (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people who suffer in mind or body, that the dying king of Calvary may be their strength(short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For all who have gone to their eternal rest (especially N. and N.), and on this World Day of Remembrance for Road traffic Victims, we pray for those lost to road crashes in our country, and all the dead: that, with the good thief, they may find a place in Paradise (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, King of the universe, you are the source of your people’s joy! Hear the prayers we make to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
as we offer you the sacrifice of reconciliation,
We ask that your Son bestow on all peoples
the gifts of unity and peace,
for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.
PREFACE: Christ the King
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You anointed Christ the Lord, your only Son,
with the oil of gladness
as eternal priest and king of all creation.
As priest, he offered himself on the altar of the cross
and redeemed the human race
by this perfect sacrifice of peace.
As king, he claims dominion over all creatures,
that he may present to your infinite majesty
a kingdom of truth and life,
a kingdom of holiness and grace,
a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: Holy, holy, holy…
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (The Roman Canon)
All-merciful Father,
we come before you with praise and thanksgiving
through Jesus Christ your Son.
Through him we ask you to accept and bless + these gifts
we offer you in sacrifice.
We offer them for your holy catholic Church:
watch over it, Lord, and guide it,
grant it peace and unity throughout the world.
We offer them for Francis our Pope,
for N. our Bishop,
and for all who hold and teach the catholic faith
that comes to us from the apostles.
Remember, Lord, your faithful people,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Remember all of us gathered here before you.
You know that we believe in you
and dedicate ourselves to you.
We offer you this sacrifice of praise
for ourselves and those who are dear to us;
we pray to you, our living and true God,
for our well-being and redemption.
We pray in communion with the whole Church,
with those whose memory we now honour:
especially with Mary,
the glorious and ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God,
with Joseph, her husband,
the apostles and martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
and with all the saints.
By their merits and prayers
grant us your constant help and protection.
Lord, accept this offering from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you have chosen.
Bless and approve our offering,
make it acceptable to you,
an offering in spirit and in truth:
let it become for us
the body and blood of your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day before he suffered
he took bread in his sacred hands,
and looking up to heaven
to you, his almighty Father,
he gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith …
And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son:
we, your holy people and your ministers,
call to mind his passion,
his resurrection from the dead,
and his ascension into glory;
and from the many gifts you have given us
we offer to you, God of glory and majesty,
this holy and perfect sacrifice,
the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.
Look with favour on these offerings
and accept them as once you accepted
the gifts of your just servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.
Almighty God,
command that your angel carry this sacrifice
to your altar in heaven.
Then, as we receive from this altar
the sacred body and blood of your Son,
let us be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember, Lord, your servants who have died
and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Grant them and all who sleep in Christ
a haven of light and peace.
For ourselves, too,
sinners who trust in your mercy and love,
we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs,
with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas,
and all your saints.
Welcome us into their company,
not considering what we deserve,
but freely granting us your pardon
Through Christ our Lord you give us all these gifts,
you fill them with life and goodness,
you bless them and make them holy. Through him, with him, in him..
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Nourished by the food of immortal life,
we beg you, Lord,
that we who glory in our obedience to Christ,
the king of all creation,
may live with him always in the kingdom of heaven.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.