Year 38 No.

21 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (B) — White November 24, 2024

The Kingdom of God in the Present

Fr. Rogel Anecito L. Abais, SJ
T he kingdom of God seems too
far from our reach. The very
idea immediately brings up images
wanted him to be their leader, to
be their political king. But Jesus
leader like the one who serves” (Lk
22:26). As we proclaim “Long live
Christ the King!” may our hearts be
of heaven and of angels and saints was not interested in this kind of converted and that our actions truly
gathered in the throne room with kingship. He wanted to establish contribute to the establishment of
God seated on his throne raised a reign of truth instead. God’s kingdom in the
by cherubim. That is a valid image We celebrate today Christ as here and now.
of God’s kingdom. But that is a king of the Universe. He showed
kingdom we hope to arrive at and a different kind of kingship when
join, should we prove to be faithful he gathered the people to teach
to him. In his bounty, God the them and to give attention to their
Father sends Jesus so that this future various needs and afflictions. His
reality is made present for all of us message is revolutionary and
to live in. We are invited to share counter cultural. It is opposed by
and experience this kingdom in those who hold and wield temporal
our daily lives by Jesus who reigns power because it promotes the
as our king. concern for the wellbeing of
“¡Viva Cristo Rey!” These were others.
the words boldly shouted by the Our participation
Mexican Jesuit martyr Miguel in this kingdom of
Agustin Pro when he raised Jesus challenges
his hands in imitation of Christ us to look
crucified as he faced the firing closely at our
squad that executed him. This was social reali-
the period of the anti-Catholic ties today.
government in Mexico at the earlier We have to
part of the 20th century. Facing his ask ourselves
death, Pro proclaimed his loyalty to simple ques-
his one king, Jesus Christ. He and tions like: How
all those who have given their lives much wealth
for their faith in Jesus are the great am I gaining
witnesses of how God’s kingdom is and keeping,
truly present here and now. and where does
Jesus is asked by Pilate, “Are you my surplus go?
the king of the Jews?” The Lord’s How do I relate
response is difficult for Pilate to with other people?
understand because he claims to Is my way the way
rule a kingdom not of this world. of Jesus? These are
Jesus clearly renounces possession simple questions, but
of a worldly territory. People like the answers are often
Pilate, Herod, the Pharisees, and difficult to admit. They
the Temple priests were greatly remind us that we are far
threatened by Jesus’ claims. They from what Jesus wants us
only understood their own political to do. We find ourselves
and material world where they are clinging to our worldly
the confidently rivaling participants concepts of kingship.
in the game of power. The threat But we should remind
was that Jesus would grab this ourselves of his words
power from them. He was popular to his disciples at the Last
to the people and had been gaining Supper, “The greatest
a huge following. These followers among you must become
who also misunderstood him like the youngest, and the
 Gloria received dominion, glory, and
THE INTRODUCTORY RITES kingship; all peoples, nations,
Glory to God in the highest, and languages serve him. His
Entrance Antiphon
and on earth peace to people
(Rv 5:12; 1:6) dominion is an everlasting
of good will. We praise you,
(Recited when there is no opening song) dominion that shall not be
we bless you, we adore you,
How worthy is the Lamb who we glorify you, we give you taken away, his kingship shall
was slain, to receive power thanks for your great glory, not be destroyed.
and divinity, and wisdom and Lord God, heavenly King, O —The word of the Lord.
strength and honor. To him God, almighty Father. Lord All—Thanks be to God.
belong glory and power for Jesus Christ, Only Begotten
ever and ever. Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Responsorial Psalm (Ps 93)
Greeting Son of the Father, you take
(The sign of the cross is made here) away the sins of the world, have R—The Lord is king; he is
mercy on us; you take away the robed in majesty.
P—The Lord be with you. sins of the world, receive our
All—And with your spirit. prayer; you are seated at the
E. C. Marfori

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Dsus D

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right hand of the Father, have
Introduction
     
(These or similar words may be used to mercy on us. For you alone are
address the assembly) the Holy One, you alone are The Lord is king; he is
the Lord, you alone are the
P—Today’s Solemnity of Christ Most High, Jesus Christ, with 
C Dsus D

      
3

the King is the last Sunday of the Holy Spirit, in the glory of 

the Church’s liturgical calendar. God the Father. Amen. robed in ma jes ty!
This is fitting because Christ Collect
is the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end P — Let us pray. (Pause) 1. The Lord is king, in splendor
of everything. He is the Lord Almighty ever-living God, robed; robed is the Lord and
of history. At the end of our whose will is to restore all things girt about with strength. (R)
journey, we will encounter in your beloved Son, the King
2. And he has made the world
him to whom we will render of the universe, grant, we pray,
firm, not to be moved. Your
an account of our life. that the whole creation, set free
throne stands firm from of old;
Let us celebrate this Eucharist from slavery, may render your
from everlasting you are, O
by uniting ourselves with our majesty service and ceaselessly
Lord. (R)
Priest and King who knows proclaim your praise.
our weaknesses and mercifully Through our Lord Jesus Christ 3. Your decrees are worthy of
intercedes for us before the your Son, who lives and reigns trust indeed; holiness befits
Father’s throne. with you in the unity of the Holy your house, O Lord, for length
Spirit, God, for ever and ever. of days. (R)
Penitential Act All — Amen.
P—Brethren (brothers and Second Reading (Rev 1:5–8)
sisters), let us acknowledge our Liturgy

of the word
sins, and so prepare ourselves to By virtue of his resurrection from
celebrate the sacred mysteries. First Reading (Dn 7:13–14) (Sit) the dead, Christ is declared King
(Pause) of kings. As King, he will come to
The people of God is personified restore all things to himself. All will
P—You were sent to heal the
in One like a Son of man and is be made accountable to him.
contrite of heart: Lord, have
glorified for its faithfulness. The
mercy. vision is now applied to Christ who A reading from the Book of
All—Lord, have mercy. calls himself the Son of Man and Revelation
P—You came to call sinners: receives eternal glory through his
Christ, have mercy. death and resurrection. JESUS CHRIST is the faithful
All—Christ, have mercy. witness, the firstborn of the
A reading from the Book of
dead and ruler of the kings of
P—You are seated at the right the Prophet Daniel
the earth. To him who loves us
hand of the Father to intercede
AS THE VISIONS during the and has freed us from our sins
for us: Lord, have mercy.
night continued, I saw one by his blood, who has made
All—Lord, have mercy.
like a Son of man coming, on us into a kingdom, priests for
P—May almighty God have the clouds of heaven; when his God and Father, to him be
mercy on us, forgive us our sins, he reached the Ancient One glory and power forever and
and bring us to everlasting life. and was presented before ever. Amen.
All—Amen. him, the one like a Son of man Behold, he is coming amid
the clouds, and every eye heaven and earth, of all things of Christ the King who came
will see him, even those who visible and invisible. to serve, and not to be served.
pierced him. All the peoples I believe in one Lord Jesus We pray: (R)
of the earth will lament him. Christ, the Only Begotten Son
of God, born of the Father C—May Jesus, our Lord and
Yes. Amen. King, heal and strengthen those
“I am the Alpha and the before all ages. God from God,
Light from Light, true God from who are burdened by any kind
Omega,” says the Lord God, true God, begotten, not made, of sickness and life’s difficulties.
“the one who is and who consubstantial with the Father; We pray: (R)
was and who is to come, the through him all things were
almighty.” made. For us men and for our C—As we close the liturgical
salvation he came down from year, may Jesus, the King of the
—The word of the Lord. universe, be the beginning and
All —Thanks be to God. heaven, (at the words that follow, up
to and including and became man, end of all our activities in life.
Alleluia (Mk 11:9, 10) (Stand) all bow) and by the Holy Spirit We pray: (R)
was incarnate of the Virgin
Mary and became man. C—May our beloved dead
All—Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed For our sake he was crucified be welcomed by Jesus, their
is he who comes in the name of under Pontius Pilate, he sure hope and Savior, as they
the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom suffered death and was buried, begin their everlasting life. We
of our father David that is to and rose again on the third pray: (R)
come! Alleluia, alleluia. day in accordance with the
Scriptures. He ascended into C—Let us pray for the urgent
Gospel (Jn 18:33b–37) heaven and is seated at the concerns of our community
right hand of the Father. He will and our personal intentions
P—A reading from the holy come again in glory to judge (pause). We pray: (R)
Gospel according to John the living and the dead and
All—Glory to you, O Lord. P—Heavenly Father, make
his kingdom will have no end.
us faithful and trustworthy
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
PILATE SAID TO JESUS, “Are the Lord, the giver of life, who followers of Christ, our Savior
you the King of the Jews?” Jesus proceeds from the Father and and King. May we draw courage
answered, “Do you say this the Son, who with the Father from him who has overcome
on your own or have others and the Son is adored and the world and now reigns with
told you about me?” Pilate glorified, who has spoken you, for ever and ever.
through the prophets. All—Amen.
answered, “I am not a Jew,
I believe in one, holy,
am I? Your own nation and the catholic, and apostolic Church. Liturgy of
chief priests handed you over I confess one Baptism for the the eucharist
to me. What have you done?” forgiveness of sins and I look
Jesus answered, “My kingdom
Presentation of the Gifts
forward to the resurrection (Stand)
does not belong to this world. If of the dead and the life of the
my kingdom did belong to this world to come. Amen. P—Pray, brethren…
world, my attendants would be All—May the Lord accept the
fighting to keep me from being Prayer of the Faithful
sacrifice at your hands for the
handed over to the Jews. But as praise and glory of his name,
P—We now plead to our
it is, my kingdom is not here.” Almighty Father who willed
for our good and the good of
So Pilate said to him, “Then you to grace us through his Son,
all his holy Church.
are a king?” Jesus answered, Jesus Christ, the King of all. Prayer over the Offerings
“You say I am a king. For this Full of trust, we pray:
I was born and for this I came P—As we offer you, O Lord, the
into the world, to testify to the R—Lord, King of glory, listen sacrifice by which the human
truth. Everyone who belongs to to our prayer. race is reconciled to you, we
the truth listens to my voice.” humbly pray that your Son
C—May Pope Francis, N. our himself may bestow on all
—The Gospel of the Lord. bishop, priests, and deacons nations the gifts of unity and
All—Praise to you, Lord Jesus work with courage and faith peace.
Christ. in sowing the seed of the Through Christ our Lord.
Kingdom of God on earth that All—Amen.
Homily (Sit) is now enveloped by fear and
discouragement. We pray: (R) Preface
Profession of Faith (Stand) (Christ, King of the Universe)
C—M a y o u r g o v e r n m e n t
All—I believe in one God, officials and all who serve in P—The Lord be with you.
the Father almighty, maker of public office follow the example All—And with your spirit.
P—Lift up your hearts.
All—We lift them up to the Lord.
P—Let us give thanks to the
Lord our God.
All—It is right and just.
P—It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give
you thanks, Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God.
For you anointed your Only
Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ, with the oil of gladness
as eternal Priest and King of all
creation, so that, by offering
himself on the altar of the Cross
as a spotless sacrifice to bring us
peace, he might accomplish the
mysteries of human redemption
and, making all created things
subject to his rule, he might
present to the immensity of your the sins of the world. Blessed upon you the gifts of his blessing.
majesty an eternal and universal are those called to the supper All—Amen.
kingdom, a kingdom of truth of the Lamb.
and life, a kingdom of holiness P—May God keep your hearts
All—Lord, I am not worthy attentive to his words, that they
and grace, a kingdom of justice, that you should enter under may be filled with everlasting
love, and peace. my roof, but only say the word gladness.
And so, with Angels and and my soul shall be healed.
All—Amen.
Archangels, with Thrones and
Dominions, and with all the Communion Antiphon P—And so, may you always
hosts and Powers of heaven, we (Ps 29 [28]:10–11) understand what is good
sing the hymn of your glory as and right, and be found ever
The Lord sits as King for ever. hastening along in the path of
without end we acclaim: The Lord will bless his people
All—Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God God’s commands, made coheirs
with peace.
of hosts. Heaven and earth are with the citizens of heaven.
full of your glory. Hosanna in Prayer after Communion All—Amen.
the highest. Blessed is he who (Stand) P—And may the blessing of
comes in the name of the Lord. almighty God, the Father, and
Hosanna in the highest.(Kneel) P—Let us pray. (Pause)
the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
Having received the food of
come down on you and remain
Acclamation (Stand) immortality, we ask, O Lord,
with you for ever.
that, glorying in obedience to
All—Amen.
All—When we eat this Bread the commands of Christ, the
and drink this Cup, we proclaim King of the universe, we may
your Death, O Lord, until you live with him eternally in his
Dismissal
come again. heavenly Kingdom. P—Our celebration is ended.
Who lives and reigns for Go in peace, glorifying the
THE COMMUNION RITE ever and ever.
Lord by your life.
The Lord’s Prayer All—Amen.
All—Thanks be to God.
All—Our Father… THE CONCLUDING RITES
P—Deliver us, Lord… BE A PRIEST OR A BROTHER
All—For the kingdom, the P—The Lord be with you. OF MASS MEDIA
power and the glory are yours All—And with your spirit. If you are a Grade 12 student, a college
now and forever. student, or a young professional, male,
Solemn Blessing single, and interested to become a priest
Invitation to Peace or a brother involved in the apostolate of
P—Bow down for the blessing. social communication, we invite you to
Invitation to Communion (Pause) journey with us.
(Kneel)
May almighty God always Contact us:
ssp.ph or stpauls.ph
P—Behold the Lamb of God, keep every adversity far from 09998500036/09620465506
behold him who takes away you and in his kindness pour out