This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, November 26th is from Matthew 25:31-46.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another . . . Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you . . . Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed . . . Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Reflection
“How can we gain the kingdom? Easy. Give food to Jesus when he is hungry, drink when he is thirsty. Welcome him and clothe him as a poor stranger. Care for him when he is ill. Visit him when he is in prison. Our eyes of faith must look harder. With eyes of faith, we can see Christ in everyone in need.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2023
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
On this final Sunday of the liturgical year the readings concern the end of time and Christ’s role as king and judge. Most solemnities are focused on biblical events. In contrast, “Christ the King” is focused on an idea. The original motivation for the feast was to celebrate the dominion of Christ that transcends national boundaries and that makes war a sacrilege against Christ’s body. On this solemnity, pray for nations tormented by war and terrorism, pray for victims of acts of terror and of war. SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2020. World Library Publications, a division of GIA Publications, Inc.
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Luke 21:1-4
Tuesday Daniel 2:31-45; Luke 21:5-11
Wednesday Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Luke 21:12-19
Thursday Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22
Saint Andrew, Apostle (Feast) – A fisherman from Bethsaida, he was a disciple of John the Baptist and, with his brother Simon, was one of the first two who followed Jesus. He was among the twelve apostles selected by Jesus. The cross of St. Andrew, which represents Scotland on the Union Jack, was first associated with Andrew in the tenth century.
Friday Daniel 7:2-14; Luke 21:29-33
Saturday Daniel 7:15-27; Luke 21:34-36
“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.” Revelation 5:12; 1:6