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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Amen.
Benedicite 8b-10a
Bless the Lord you mountains and hills.
Bless the Lord all that grows in the ground:
Sing God’s praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord you springs.
Bless the Lord you seas and rivers.
Bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters:
Sing God’s praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord all birds of the air.
Bless the Lord you beasts and cattle:
Sing God’s praise and exalt him for ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Luke 21.29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’
Reflection
On Sunday the Church’s liturgical year drew to a close with the Festival of Christ the King. The journey from Advent, through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, the Ascension, Pentecost and Ordinary Time came to its natural conclusion as we paused to reflect upon the miraculous baby who revealed his divine Kingship by overcoming all that defeats our humanity. Then, because our human memories are feeble, and because we forget our place in the divine hierarchy, the journey of reflection and celebration begins again. Whether we are among those who will adopt a stoic and fatalistic air as another year draws to a close, or whether we will approach the new year with a sense of hope and joy, the message in today’s reading is one that we should hold dear to our hearts: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Throughout history there have been many who have sought to lead humanity away from God. They have contradicted God’s word and they have offered alternative ways in which they would have us live out our daily lives. But … those human philosophies have always proved to be flawed because they have nothing to do with the one of whom we read each Christmas: the Word that became flesh and lived among us.
During his time on earth, the Word, that is Jesus Christ, was subjected to all the horrors of human scorn and derision, even to the point of death. But, he went on to reveal his divine Kingship by conquering the ultimate weapon that humanity could throw at him … death itself.
In our world, kingship has often been awarded to those who are perceived to be the strongest, the most cunning, the most adroit at manipulating worldly stratagems. This is not so with the true King, the one who is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ power and Kingship was revealed in a display of humility and weakness. Jesus did not come into this world with great armies and unimaginable wealth. Instead, Jesus brought the model of love and service that is the demonstration of true Godly power.
No matter what the world may throw at those who espouse a faith in Jesus Christ, it remains an indestructible truth that his words will not pass away. As we watch the horrors of inhuman cruelty and excess, Christians can be certain that their real King is King indeed, and that through a careful study and living out of his words, they will come into the presence of the God who loves them with a love that is beyond our wildest imaginings.
Prayers of intercession
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, we pray for all Christian people; for our Bishops, for all Christian leaders, and for those who teach and guard the faith. May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts, and knit us together in the bond of your love.
We pray for the leaders of the nations, and for those in authority under them. Give them the gift of your wisdom, and a right discernment in all things.
We pray for our community; for those who live and work here, and for those who visit this place. Speak your word of peace in our midst, and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us.
We pray for those who do not believe, and yet who long to know you, the very Word of life. Open their ears to hear your voice, and open their hearts to the knowledge of your love in Christ.
We pray for those bowed down with grief, fear or sickness. May your living Word bring comfort and healing to all those in need.
We give thanks for all those who have died in the faith of Christ and we rejoice with all your saints, trusting in the promise of your word fulfilled.
Prayer for the week
Lord, you have blessed the world
by sending your Son into our midst
and by making all things new in him.
We ask you to give all people
the courage and power we need
to share fully in his mission to the world
and to further his kingdom in the lives of all,
to the honour and glory of his name.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.