Catholic TV Mass Online November 21, 2021: Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Presider: Fr. Matthew Widder Parish: Catholic Community of Waukesha Choir: Thelen Family TEXT FROM THE HOMILY Recently I was at a high school soccer game. And it was a great game and after the game, the players of the different teams were walking across the field, probably heading to the buses or to the locker room area, and they were walking across the field, and there was this little girl probably about 3 years old that all of a sudden raced out onto the field in a full sprint and she went right towards her brother and she just latched on to her brother's legs. Her head wasn't much higher than his kneecaps really. And she just latched onto him and just gave him this great big hug. Just gave him this great big hug. And it was this beautiful moment to watch from where we were watching the game. But what's interesting about it is that once she gave that hug, she didn't just let go and move on, she just kept hugging. And it was kind of awkward because sometimes with high schoolers it's like leave me alone. Leave me alone. And she just had him, had him in this lock of love. This lock of love. And so often it's the kids kept going, I say, ok I have to go with my teammates but she wasn't having that. She saw her brother and she loved him, and she latched onto him. I think of that image with our savior Jesus Christ. We all through our lives, what is Christ doing? In his humble way as we walk through this plan on earth, Jesus is giving us that embrace. Just as that child born into this world. In the eucharist, Jesus comes to us in simple bread and wine. In the gifts of nature around us Christ shows his presence. In one another Christ shows his presence. In the word Christ shows his presence. Jesus is a king who is always connected to us. Who is always connecting to us. And what do we say as we hear this piercing part of the trial before Pilate what does Jesus say? I have come to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to truth, listens to my voice. The truth. The truth. The truth is that Jesus Christ is madly in love with us. In all those different ways, Christ clings to us. But so often in this part of our life, on this side of heaven, what do we do? We often want to say, leave me alone. Let me be. If that high schooler said, leave me alone I have things to do. So often that's how we deal with the kingship of Jesus Christ. So often instead of choosing the truth of God's love and God's mercy and of God's teachings, we choose the convenience of our own ways. So often we choose convenience and the easiest path, than according to God's truth. To God's loving reign. God clings to us. On this side of Heaven he is continually drawing us towards him. The truth of his love is mercy and teachings. Do we try to let me do my own thing? Do often choose convenience what's easy, what's pleasurable over what is true? Jesus, help you, help us, to truly make you the king of our hearts, the king of our world. I invite you to join with me in praying the Apostles Creed. Entrance: Crown Him With Many Crowns Text: Revelation 19:12; st. 1, 3-5, Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894; st. 2 Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903 Tune: DIADEMATA, SMD; George J. Elvey, 1816-1893 Psalm 93: The Lord Is King Text: Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5; © 1963, 1993, The Grail; refrain trans. © 1969, ICEL Preparation: This Is The Feast of Victory Text: Based on Revelation 5, © 1978, Lutheran Book of Worship Tune: FESTIVAL CANTICLE, Irregular; Richard Hillert, 1923–2010, © 1975, 1988, Richard Hillert Communion: Shepherd of My Heart Text: Psalm 23; Francis Patrick O’Brien, b.1958 Tune: Francis Patrick O’Brien, b.1958 © 1992, GIA Publications, Inc. Sending Forth: All The Ends of the Earth Text: Psalm 98; Bob Dufford, SJ, b.1943 Tune: Bob Dufford, SJ, b.1943; acc. by Bob Dufford and Chris Morash, alt. © 1981, Robert J. Dufford, SJ, and OCP Mass Setting: Mass of Joy and Peace Text: ICEL, © 2010 Music: Mass of Joy and Peace, Tony E. Alonso, © 2010, GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this liturgy obtained from ONE LICENSE, License No. A-718591. www.HeartoftheNation.org