THE THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
Introduction
The strangeness of Christianity is nowhere more apparent than in the liturgical celebration of is King –
not the celebration of a glorious enthronement, but the story of a man on a cross. Jesus does not exercise
his kingship through absolute authority and power. His kingship is universal in his loving search for the
lost, the broken, the marginalised. The Church must never cease saying to all who look in hope to the
crucified Jesus as their king, ‘Today you will be with me in paradise’.
Sentence
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9.9
Collect
Eternal God, you exalted Jesus Christ to rule over all things, and have made us
instruments of his kingdom: by your Spirit empower us to love the unloved, and to minister
to all in need, then at the last bring us to your eternal realm where we may be welcomed
into your everlasting joy and may worship and adore you for ever; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
or
Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all
things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and
bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose
kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. Amen.
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Ordinary Sunday 34-Year C- (Christ the King)
Reading Introductions
Jeremiah 23:1-6. Jeremiah wrote at the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Babylonians. He was highly critical of the leaders of Israel, who had not guided the nation in the
ways of God.
Colossians 1:11-20. Writing from prison to the church in Colossae about 60 AD, Paul sets out to correct
false teaching that has come to his attention. He begins by reminding the Colossians of the heart of
the gospel.
Luke 23:33-43. Luke’s account of the crucifixion includes various scornful remarks made to Jesus by the
crowd, the soldiers and one of those executed with him about his status as a king and about his
kingdom.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our father; blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord.
Alleluia
Post Communion Prayer:
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of
good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord
The Blessing
Christ the King make you faithful and strong to do his will, that you may reign with him in glory; and the
blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you
always.
or
Christ our exalted King pour upon you his abundant gifts
and bring you to reign with him in glory;
and the blessing …
or
God the Father,
Ordinary Sunday 34-Year C- (Christ the King)
who has given to his Son the name above every name,
strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord.
Amen.
God the Son,
who is our great high priest passed into the heavens,
plead for you at the right hand of the Father.
Amen.
God the Holy Spirit,
who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church,
make you faithful servants of Christ our King.
Amen.
And the blessing …
Copyright:
Introduction, This is the Gospel of the Lord, Francis J Moloney, St Paul Publication 1991.
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia 1996
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal, 1982
Post Communion Sentence, Church House Publishing 1997
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Ordinary Sunday 34-Year C- (Christ the King)