Sunday Readings for November 22-23, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
I recently made a five-day retreat at Conception Abbey in Missouri. Each day of prayer began with a Psalm called the Invitatory. The Psalm is preceded by an antiphon. One morning, the antiphon was “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord,” the Psalm response for this weekend (Ps 122:1-5). As we repeated that antiphon several times, it made me think, “Did I come rejoicing to the Lord’s house today?” My answer: I was still too sleepy to rejoice! In the days that followed, as I walked from the guest house to the basilica, I repeated those words, reminding myself that I must go to the Lord’s house with rejoicing.
What about you? When you get in your vehicle to head to Sunday Mass, what is your disposition? I imagine it might change from week to week. Some weeks, there is that sense of joy about what is about to happen — that I’ll hear the Word of God and receive the Bread of Life. Other days, I might be filled with sadness over things that transpired over the past week. Maybe I go to Church with a sense of anxiety or dread — I’m there because of the obligation, and the list of things I need to do afterward is much too long.
Even at the Crucifixion of the Lord, where he was crowned our King of Kings with thorns, people didn’t know how to be in his presence. Both the rulers and soldiers jeered at Jesus. Others mocked him. One of the criminals reviled him. But the other criminal, crucified on the other side, knew how to call out to Jesus. Even though Jesus was wounded and crucified, and did not look like a king, the Good Thief recognized him for he who was — the King of Hearts and Souls. He knew that our King would enter his Heavenly Kingdom that day, and all he wanted was a kind remembrance from the King. He received even more — the promise that he would be with him that very day in paradise.
Each week at Mass, we have the opportunity to be in the presence of our King. He wants us to come just as we are, bringing all our worries and concerns to him. The King wants us to come to him with great rejoicing. As you prepare for Mass, as you make your way to church, and as you enter the Lord’s house, let your heart echo today’s Psalm: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord” (Ps 122:1-5).
The readings for Sunday, November 23, can be found at The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | USCCB.
Fr. Edward Looney serves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano. He is an author and podcaster, with a presence on various social media platforms under the handle @FrEdwardLooney.