November 20, 2006
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend we celebrate the Last Sunday of Pentecost and the last Sunday of the liturgical year. This day also is celebrated as the Feast of Christ the King. Today's feast day, by focusing on Christ's dominion over all, continues the theme of "Last Things" that I spoke about last week.
THEME FOR THE WEEK:
The readings for the weekend of November 25-26 focus on the rule of Christ over all creation. The reading from Daniel 7:9-14 harkens to a mystic figure "one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. . . . To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, 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." For the early church, this passage was prophetic description of the rule of the Messiah, the Christ.
The reading from Revelation 1:1-8 continues this theme of Kingship: "To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 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 wail. So it is to be. Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
The Gospel of Mark 11:1-11 describes the scene on Palm Sunday when the people spread their cloaks and branches on the road, and proclaimed Jesus as King, with the words, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
The idea of King, Kingdom, and Kingship may seem a bit foreign to us who live in a democracy that emphasizes the equality of all. Our country was founded by a revolt against a King. We need to translate "king" and "kingdom" into concepts that may carry more meaning for us. Christ's Kingship is spiritual -- and we are free to substitute other words which are not connected to royalty or, for that matter, to patriarchy. The main notion is that Christ and the values of Christ are the rule by which we live.
On Thursday of this week, November 20, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I invite you, where ever you are, to give thanks to God for the many blessings you have received and to pray for peace in the world. You are invited to join me for a Thanksgiving Day celebration of the Holy Eucharist at All Saints at 9:00 am. My prayers and best wishes to you for a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving Day.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Prayer and Scripture for the weekend of November 25-26, 2006
The Last Sunday after Pentecost, the Feast of Christ the King
Sermon:
At the Saturday, November 25th service at 5:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
At the Sunday, November 26th service at 10:30 am: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
At the Sunday, November 26th service at 6:00 pm: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.
For an explanation of the Church's liturgical year, click here.
For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
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