Suggested Songs for November 25, 2012 Mass

November 25, 2012

Solemnity of Christ the King-Year B

Liturgical Color: White

"His dominion is an everlasting one."

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Entrance:

1.      Himaya Kanimo (Koro Viannista), prioritize verse 1 and 2 good for Gospel

2.      Ang Hari sa Himaya, Ania Na

3.      Ang Ginoo Gahari Karon

4.      Pagbubunyi ("Dahil inako ng Kristong Hari kaligtasan ng Kanyang lipi.") 

5.      Bayan Umawit ("Iisang lipi, iisang Diyos, iisang hari...") 

6.      All Glory, Laud and Honor (Theodulph) “to thee redeemer king”

7.      Let heaven rejoice ("Hosanna to our King")

First Reading                                          Dn 7:13-14

As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm                                     Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5

R. (1a) The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

Second Reading                                        Rv 1:5-8

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

Gospel Jn 18:33b-37

Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Homily/Reflection of the Readings (November 25, 2012)

Good morning everyone! Welcome to all the members of our faith community and the visitors who have joined us today to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King.

Today's Feast is a very special one. Although Christ has always been recognized as the King of kings, it was not until Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of "Christ the King" in 1925 that it finally receive official recognition in the Holy Catholic Church. In other words, it has only been nearly 80 years since Catholics have been meeting annually to officially recognize Christ as King.

This is very important because the last time that God was officially recognized as King among the people was 3,046 years ago, or 2,971 years before the institution of this special Feast. For nearly 3,000 years, the world did not "officially" recognize God as its King.

Some of you may wonder what happened 3,046 years ago. At that time, God's people approached Samuel and asked him to appoint a king over them. [1 Sam. 8:3, 5] The people wanted a king like the surrounding pagan nations so they would have someone to lead them during their battles. This greatly offended God who knew the hearts of the people, that they were rejecting Him as King over them. [1 Sam. 8:7] And so it was, in 1043 B.C., Saul was anointed as the king of God's people.

The injustice that was done to God was finally corrected 78 years ago when the Lord Jesus, in who the fullness of God was pleased to dwell bodily, [Col. 1:19, 2:9] was 'officially' reinstated as the rightful King of the Catholic Church.

Now that Christ the King has been officially elevated to His rightful position above all His creation, one may wonder, where is His Kingdom?

Speaking to His followers, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come with power." [Mk. 9:1] Speaking to Nathanael, Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." [Jn. 1:51] Based on the Sacred Words of Jesus that are perfect truth, the Kingdom of God arrived during the first century.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that after Jesus resurrected and appeared to His disciples, "He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father." [Acts 1:4] The disciples were to await the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on Pentecost Day. There are every indication in the Holy Scriptures that this moment is when the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God officially descended on earth.

In the Book of Revelation, John says, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God, they will be his people, and God himself will be with them.'" [Rev. 21:1-3]

This particular passage is not a reference to the future, but rather to the past. Why? Because of the reference of God dwelling among His people. Who dwells in the Blessed Tabernacle in every Catholic Church around the world? Christ the King! Who do we receive during the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist? Christ the King! God is now dwelling among His people as the rightful King. His Kingdom has arrived on earth as promised.

Another proof that the aforementioned passage is of the past is from the passage that is found in today's Second Reading. It says, "Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will lament. So it is to be. Amen." Every eye will see Him, even THOSE WHO PIERCED HIM. Those who pierced Christ the King are the Roman soldiers who crucified Him! Surely, this cannot be a reference to the future as some allege regarding the Second Coming and the future Kingdom of God.

While some await for a false hope, a visible Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus never said that His Kingdom would be visible. He said, "The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is among you." [Lk. 17:20-1] The Kingdom of God cannot be observed! It cannot be seen! It is invisible because it is of the spiritual world that coexists with our world.

During today's Gospel Reading, we heard Jesus say, "My kingdom is not from this world." [Jn. 18:36]

My brothers and sisters in Christ, if we await a false hope, the Second Coming of Christ to rule on earth for 1,000 years as some believe, or if we await for the physical descent of the Kingdom of God on earth, how can we truly appreciate the mystery of the Mystical Body of Christ when through such belief we are clearly rejecting the physical presence of God and His Kingdom on earth? With such a belief, are we not counting ourselves among our separated brothers and sisters who are awaiting a false hope?

Christ the King is here today with us! His Kingdom has arrived and we as baptized children have received our new creation of the godly seed, [1 Jn. 3:9] this gift making us members of the Kingdom of God on earth. Through our new creation, we are now able to worship God in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him. [Jn. 4:23-4]

During today's First Reading, we heard, "To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all people, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed." [Dan. 7:14]

The present Kingdom of God on earth, spiritual in nature, invisible to the naked eye, is one that shall never be destroyed. The dominion of Christ the King is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away.

During the coming week, let us assess our beliefs. Are they in harmony with the teachings of Jesus? Are they based on sound Catholic doctrine that has been handed down by apostolic succession? Are they based on Biblical truths? Are we wholeheartedly partaking in the spiritual Kingdom of God on earth through our Baptism as we should be? Are we accepting with inner joy and peace that Christ the King is presently ruling over us? Or are we looking for a false Christ and a false Kingdom? Many are being deceived and their deception is hurting the Body of Christ. As living stones, we must support one another, correct one another if we err from the truth, and be united in one Lord, one truth, one baptism, one Christ, one Spirit and one Holy Catholic Church. May the grace of God be with you this week.

Offertory:

1.      Daygon Ikaw, Ginoong Dios, swak for the celebration. We should be thankful for HIM

2.      Gasa sa Gugma (Koro Viannista)

3.      Paghahandog ng Sarili (..."Pagharian lahat ayon sa kalooban Mo...") 

4.      Mula sa 'Yo ("Buhay ko'y pagharian Mo...")

5.      Ang Tanging Alay Ko. Stanza 3 ang priority. “Aking hinihintay ang ‘Yong pagbabalik, Hesus. Ang makapiling Mo’y kagalakang lubos.” This is so eschatology and triumph of Jesus.

6.      Earthen Vessels (Foley) “gold...wealth...treasure” 

Communion:

1.      Ang Ginoo Akong Magbalantay (Koro Viannista), swak sa First Reading and Responsorial Psalm

2.      Magsaulog Kita Karon, swak sa Gospel

3.      O Dios Ikaw, Haduol, swak sa First Reading

4.      Awit ng Paghahangad. You might want to prioritize Stanza 3. ("Magdiriwang ang Hari...")

5.      Ang Panginoon ay Aking Pastol (Isidro, Ramirez)

6.      Pagkabighani (Alejo, Francisco)

7.      Sa Diyos Lamang Mapapanatag (Isidro, Que) Prioritize Stanza 3 “Pastol Kang nagmamahal sa kawan”

8.      Ang Mabuting Pastol (Hontiveros)

9.      Hesus na Aking Kapatid (Hontiveros)

10.   Dakilang Pag-ibig

11.  One Thing I Ask (Tirol). Best choice. There are all the elements of eschatology, as well as the good shepherd imagery, and even triumph.

12.  If I could Touch You (Francisco) Stanza 3 and counterpoint ang priority. “What you do to your brethren, you do it for Me. I am in the brokenness and woundedness of man.” Although Lenten admittedly, still a very very very good choice.

13.  How lovely Is Your Dwelling Place (Aquino) ("My King and my God.") very good choice.

14.  Like A Shepherd (Dufford) Prioritize Sanzas 2 and 3.

Recessional:

1.      Ang Tawag sa Panahon

2.      Pagbanwag

3.      Ang Tawag

4.     Ito Ang Bagong Araw

5.      Tanda ng Kaharian ng Diyos 

6.      Ito ang Bagong Araw (Stanza 2: "Kristo Jesus, tunay Kang Hari...")

7.      All the ends of the earth. You might want to prioritize stanza 3.

Have a blessed week everyone J Kristori!