Dear Friends in Christ
This final Sunday of the liturgical year celebrates the Kingship of Jesus Christ our Sovereign Lord. It is proposed to us as a counter-balance to the culture of a world that views life in purely earthbound terms. By His Passion and Death on the Cross, Jesus was raised-up as the King of the Universe; His is a Kingship of intercession for the human race. Jesus pleads for us constantly at the right hand of the Father. The celebration this weekend allows us to celebrate something of the divinity and power that Jesus has as the one and only Redeemer of the human race. Anyone, of whatever race and religion, if they are saved, it is through Jesus Christ our Saviour. This is the role He has been assigned by God the Father and today we recognise Him as Universal King of the world.
The final days of the liturgical year, Thursday - Saturday, our annual days of Eucharistic exposition and adoration, begins on Thursday evening with the Opening Mass and concludes with the Solemn Benediction on Saturday afternoon. These are the Forty Hours’ Prayer during which we are invited to come and adore Jesus Christ the King enthroned at the very heart of our Parish Family. Please, as each year I ask you, be generous with the time you offer Jesus in the Sacrament of His Real Presence. Come with humble faith and prayer to the one who is able to grant us all we ask and need. You will find the lists at the back of church for the Watching - please sign-up for the half-hour intervals; candles for burning before the Altar can be had from the Sacristy (five pounds) and will be later also used in the sanctuary lamp throughout the year for your specific intentions.
With every blessing!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org