November 19, 2007

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This Sunday, the Last Sunday after Pentecost and the Feast of Christ the King, brings our liturgical year to a triumphant conclusion. The liturgical year, and indeed our individual lives, are meant to center on Christ and to find their fulfillment in Christ.

THEME FOR THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

Today's readings express our belief that God has acted in Christ to bring creation to its intended fulfillment. In the Collect, we pray: "Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

Jeremiah, in the first reading, contrasts the loving and compassionate rule of God with earthly rulers who despoil God's people: "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD."

Psalm 46 is prayer of trust in God's goodness: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea. Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult ...'Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.'"

Paul in his epistle to the Colossians offers a beautiful prayer for times when we experience struggle or distress: "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

And then Paul offers this affirmation of the kingly and divine identity of Christ: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross."

The Gospel reading is the passage from Luke that was read on Palm Sunday: Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem on a colt and the people hail his royal dignity: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Jesus is indeed a King, but not an earthly king in the mode of rulers who trumpet their own privilege. Instead Jesus aims to be sovereign of our hearts.

Today's feast summons us to invite Christ into our lives as our spiritual guide and teacher. We are called to imitate Christ's compassion for those who suffer, forgiveness for those who are wayward, and solidarity with those on the margins. If we follow the way of Christ we may not achieve earthly glory, but we will achieve something more precious, an imperishable crown. In our spiritual lives we are supported by one another in prayer. Please join us for worship at the Celtic Holy Eucharist Saturday at 5:00 pm, the Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing Sunday at 10:30 am, and the Sunday Evening Contemplative Holy Eucharist at 6:00 pm.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Feast of Christ the King, November 24-25, 2007

Saturday, November 24, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, November 25, at 10:30 am: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Sunday, November 25, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterlin

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Weekend and Mid-Week Worship Schedule
For the schedule of worship services for Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, please click here.

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, 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 'Sunday Evening' Holy Eucharist 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.

Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Barbara Bembery, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.

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