26 November 2017

Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe

1st: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Psalm: 22:1-3, 5-6
2nd: Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
The Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

  ‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

  ‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.”

 ‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

The Sheep on His Right

These, to whom the Judge shall say as they stand on His right at His coming, “I was hungry etc.” are they who are judged on the side of the elect, and who reign; who wash away the stains of their life with tears; who redeem former sins by good deeds; who, whatever unlawful thing they have done, have covered it from the Judge’s eyes by a cloak of alms.
St. Gregory the Great, Catena Aurea

Why Do We Call Christ, King?

Because …

• He is the Truth and wants to reign in our intellect.
• By his grace and inspirations He wants to reign in our will.
• By his infinite love He wants to reign in our heart.
• God the Father has given Him power to reign over creation. 
• The Old Testament constantly talks about a coming king, and the New Testament makes this kingship more explicit.
• Christ himself often speaks of his kingly authority: “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (John 18:36).

When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.
c.f. Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Quas Primas, 7-19

This week’s feasts
Thu 30 St. Andrew, Apostle Feast 
Sat 2 Sat memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Psalter Week II

Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent
1st: Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1, 3-8
Psalm: 79:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
2nd: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

• 
  Christmas Parish Lunch Sun 10 Dec, 1:30 at LPH. We need you to PLEASE SIGN UP for catering purposes. Look for list or talk to Fr. Jim.
• Our 2017-2018 Apostolates have restarted including SJPII Children’s Oratory, Catechism for First Communion and Bible Group. For info contact Fr. Fernando 9933 3130. Thank you for your prayers.
• Light up a Life Service: Thurs 14 Dec at 6pm. Join us in a prayerful evening for our faithful departed. To have the name of a deceased loved one read out please contact Mary Penny: 9639 8641.  
• Help us Beautify the Church The Flower Arrangement Group is looking for volunteers. Contact Resi at 26910706.
• Fr. Carlos Tandem Parachute Jump Sat 2 Dec. Sponsor our Parish Priest to help Caritas, please see poster in the Coffee Shop.
• Meze Meal Dinner at Akis Taverna Fri 24 Nov, 7:30pm. €15.00. Live entertainment. Help our Hospice. Call 9938 9073 (limited availability).
• Christmas Shopping Trip to Nicosia Tues 12 December. 3 stops M & S, Ledra Street (bring passport) and Ikea. Raffle. Leave at 8am from upper parking in Debenhams, back 7pm. Cost €17 to help Hospice. Call Linda 99562387.
• Catenian Pre-Christmas Mass on Wed 13 December 6pm at Agia Kyriaki. All welcome.

Mass Times HERE