Well, it's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but it's not Christmas or even Advent yet! This is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time - Christ the King Sunday. Pope Pius XI institute the feast of Christ the King in 1925, to be celebrated throughout the universal church. Feeling that there was a rise of secularism throughout much of Europe, Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:
Christ the King Sunday used to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October, but since the calendar reforms of 1969, the feast falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is the Sunday before Advent. It is fitting that the feast celebrating Christ's kingship is observed right before Advent, when we liturgically wait for the promised Messiah.1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state.
2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ.
3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies.
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| Phil Wickham |
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, the King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
At the offertory, the Trinity Choir will sing All Shall Be Amen and Alleluia, by Thomas Keesecker on a resurrection text of St. Augustine of Hippo. The text is wonderfully woven with a flowing piano accompaniment. This is a favorite anthem of the choir.
All shall be Amen and Alleluia.We shall rest and we shall see.
We shall see and we shall know.
We shall know and we shall love.
We shall love and we shall praise.
Behold our end, which is no end.
At the postlude I will attempt one more musical tribute to the King of Kings with the playing of Handel's Hallelujah from Messiah. While most people think about Easter when hearing this grand chorus, it is perfect for Christ the King Sunday.
King of kings and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever!
Hallelujah!
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