PRIEST: As the Church’s Year draws to a close, we celebrate Jesus Christ, King of all Creation. We celebrate He who came with a dream for the world, for the Universe – a dream of creation alive with divine love, drawn together in the deepest Unity in Christ. We celebrate our Brother who suffered and died on the Cross to make this Dream a reality. On this great Feast, which is also National Youth Sunday, we ask ourselves the question: does Jesus reign in our hearts and in our lives? Do we share His Dream with our young people and draw them joyfully to serve His Kingdom? Does the quality of our loving reveal the Servant King to our wounded world? Do we serve each other and the broken of our world in the name of our King? Do we serve our own kingdom rather than God’s Kingdom?
READER: When we have thought only of our own needs and desires,
when we have given into our selfishness
and not become servants to those among whom we live…
LORD HAVE MERCY…
When we have not offered the time, the energy and the gifts
God has given us to build up the Body of Christ in our parish,
and to transform our world into
His Kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace…
CHRIST HAVE MERCY…
Because Christ our King comes to the world in all its poverty and brokenness,
to speak the Word of Forgiveness, Mercy and Healing
that brings about His Kingdom…
LORD HAVE MERCY…
PRIEST: Lord God, Trinity of Love and source of Life,
touch us with the mercy of Your Kingdom,
work in our hearts, renewing our lives,
and lead us in the ways of the Beatitudes:
heal our blindness that we may see,
cleanse our hearts that we may love,
and renew our dedication
that we may work for the coming of Your Kingdom upon the earth
bringing us and all Creation to everlasting life…
AMEN!