Thy Kingdom Come
Our daily prayer reminds us of the Kingship of Christ, his kingdom which is constantly being established and the place given in our hearts to him. Christ has to present to the Father “a Kingdom of truth and life. A kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.”
This Sunday marks the end of the Liturgical Year B, when on most Sundays we have listened to the Gospel of St. Mark. Next Sunday we commence the celebration of Advent in Year C , when the Gospel of St Luke will mainly be read.
Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is fitting that, on this last Sunday in the Church’s year, we look to the Kingdom, to our destiny as children of the God who is all love. Jesus’ kingship is not of an earthly nature – He makes this very clear in His response to Pontius Pilate, that we hear proclaimed in this Sunday’s Gospel.
Jesus exercises power that is so completely different to that exercised by Pilate. We must reflect that we, in our following of Jesus, must live in His way, not that of a world consumed by wealth, power over others, and political gain. We see power being abused so often in the world at the expense of the vulnerable. We see that which is deemed expedient, placed above the dignity that belongs to every person as a wonder of God’s creation.
Our baptism brings with it the responsibility to live every moment of life in preparation for the wonder of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is this Kingdom – that is of a different kind – in which we are called to live, and that we are called to proclaim, bringing others to the hope that points our way to the Kingdom.
We rejoice in His Kingship and we rejoice in His death and resurrection; the victory that He has won for us – for with Him, as St Paul reminds us – we are co-heirs to the Kingdom of God.
Our world needs this message in every place and in every aspect of the human condition – most especially, at a time when so many parts of our world are torn apart by war and conflict, when the dignity of every human being is threatened, and when so many live without the hope that leads to the fullness of life. Let us proclaim this message with every greater urgency and joy.
With every blessing,
+Richard
Opposing The Second Reading Of The Assisted Dying Bill
The cards to send off to your MP are on the table in the entrance.
Informing yourself of the issues is important. Last week we had our Bishop’s Pastoral Message and the Statement form the Bishops of the UK.
We have all been asked to make special prayer on Friday 29th November for the voting down of this Bill.
Our Friday Mass 9.30 am will have a period of adoration added until 10.30 for those able to give half an hour.
Mass Schedule
- Sunday 24th November Christ the King Sunday Mass 10am
- Monday 25th November St Mary’s House Mass 8.15am
- Wednesday 27th November Mass 9.30am
- Saturday 30th November HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
- December 1st The First Sunday of Advent Mass 10am.
The bi-weekly Newsletter of St Mary’s and St Thomas More’s is available after Mass.
Soup and Sandwich Lunch This Thursday In Our Hall 12 Noon
An opportunity to meet up. See the poster.
The Lectionary
The four volumes will be blessed next Sunday. They have distinctive covers. As liturgical books for worship they are to be treated with care and respect.
Hail Redeemer, King divine
Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine
King whose reign shall never cease
Prince of everlasting peace.
Angels, saints and nations sing
Praised be Jesus Christ our King
Lord of life, earth sky and sea
King of love on calvary
St Thomas More Church, Patcham, Brighton 