ENTRANCE CHANT

Hymn to Christ the King

Sarah Hart, Josh Blakesley, Sarah Kroger and Ike Ndolo

💿 OCP MUSICTHE COMMONS

Choose Christ 2024 #175;
Breaking Bread #738

KEY THEMESPREACHING CONNECTIONS

KEY THEMES:

1. Christ’s Sovereignty: The hymn emphasizes Christ’s ultimate authority and rule over all creation, aligning with Daniel 7:13-14, which speaks of “one like a son of man” being given “dominion, glory, and kingship.”
2. Christ’s Eternal Nature: Drawing from Revelation 1:5-8, the hymn acknowledges Christ as the “Alpha and Omega,” the beginning and the end, and celebrates his timeless and eternal nature.
3. Christ’s Judgment and Mercy: Both the hymn and the readings highlight Christ’s role as a just and merciful judge who comes to gather the faithful and offer redemption, as seen in John 18:33b-37.
4. Hope and Salvation: The hymn offers a message of hope and assurance that, despite challenges and darkness, Christ the King brings light, truth, and salvation to all who follow him. This theme is present in the readings, which emphasize Christ’s coming to reign and gather his people.
5. Belonging to Christ’s Kingdom: The hymn encourages listeners to embrace their identity as part of Christ’s kingdom, echoing the idea found in John 18:36 that Christ’s kingdom “is not of this world.”
6. Worship and Adoration: Finally, the hymn calls for praise and worship of Christ the King, reflecting the tone of adoration found throughout the selected readings.

write an essay connecting the following themes and the song yyyyyyyyyyyyy to xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Offer suggestions for preachers to incorporate these themes into their homily.

The Feast of Christ the King

The Feast of Christ the King invites us to reflect on the divine sovereignty of Jesus and our response to his kingship. The readings for this liturgical celebration, coupled with the Hymn to Christ the King by Sarah Hart, Josh Blakesley, Sarah Kroger, and Ike Ndolo, provide a rich tapestry of themes that preachers can incorporate into their homilies.

1. Christ’s Kingship: Daniel 7:13-14 and the song both highlight Christ’s divine authority and sovereignty, emphasizing his rightful place as King. Preachers can draw on this theme by inviting their congregations to acknowledge and embrace Christ’s lordship in their lives.

2. Eternal Nature of Christ: Revelation 1:5-8 and the song’s refrain, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” emphasize the timeless and eternal nature of Christ. This theme encourages the faithful to recognize that Christ’s kingship transcends earthly time and power.

3. Worship and Adoration: The song’s focus on praise and adoration aligns with the tone of the readings, particularly Revelation 1:5-8. Encouraging the congregation to express their devotion to Christ through worship and prayer can help them deepen their understanding of his kingship.

4. Hope and Salvation: Both the readings and the song offer a message of hope and assurance that Christ brings light and salvation to those who follow him. Preachers can connect this theme to the challenges faced by their congregations, reminding them of the hope found in Christ’s sovereignty.

5. Belonging to Christ’s Kingdom: The song’s lyrics, “We are Yours,” resonate with John 18:36, where Jesus speaks of his kingdom and those who belong to it. This theme can serve as a reminder that our identity as Christians is rooted in our belonging to Christ and his kingdom.

6. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Scripture: The hymn’s mention of Christ as the “Living Word” emphasizes that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s promises in Scripture, which ties into the readings that reveal Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and King.

In conclusion, the Hymn to Christ the King provides an opportunity to explore and contemplate the significance of Christ’s divine sovereignty. By weaving these themes into their homilies, preachers can guide their congregations toward a deeper understanding and acceptance of Jesus as the rightful King of their hearts and lives.

RESPONSORIAL

The Lord Is King: He Is Robed in Majesty

Benjamin Cortez

SOURCE: Spirit & Psalm 2024

Spirit & Psalm 2024: p. 360

PRESENTATION AND
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Jesus Christ Is Lord

Ken Canedo

💿 SPIRIT & SONGPARISH VIDEO

Choose Christ 2024 #179;
Spirit & Song #195

KEY THEMES:

1. Christ’s Lordship: The song’s central theme, found in its title, echoes the affirmation of Christ’s kingship and sovereignty seen in Daniel 7:13-14 and John 18:33b-37.
2. The Good News: The lyrics “Jesus Christ is Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord, the good news we proclaim” resonate with Revelation 1:5-8, which speaks of the faithful witness of Jesus and the “good news” of his coming.
3. Unity in Christ: The song’s emphasis on “one faith, one hope, one baptism” reflects the themes of belonging and identity found in the readings, particularly in John 18:36, where Jesus speaks of his kingdom and those who belong to it.
4. The Saving Power of Christ: The line “Jesus Christ is Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord, the life of the world” aligns with the readings’ focus on Christ as a savior who brings redemption and salvation to those who follow him.
5. Eternal Life: The song’s refrain, “We will live forever, we will live forever,” resonates with the promise of eternal life found in Revelation 1:5-8 and the idea of Christ’s everlasting rule.
6. The Role of the Church: The mention of “one Body, one Spirit, one church” highlights the importance of the Church as the living embodiment of Christ’s kingship on earth, reflecting the unity and mission of Christ’s followers as seen in the readings.

COMMUNION CHANT

King of My Heart

Greg Walton

💿 SPIRIT & SONGPARISH VIDEO

Choose Christ 2024 #194;
Spirit & Song #252;
Never Too Young #237

KEY THEMES:

1. Personal Devotion: The song emphasizes a deep, personal commitment to Christ as the King of one’s heart, echoing the challenge posed by the readings to make Christ the central authority in our lives.
2. Christ’s Sovereignty: The title of the song reflects the theme of Christ’s kingship and sovereignty, as seen in Daniel 7:13-14, where the “son of man” receives “dominion, glory, and kingship.”
3. The Transformative Power of Christ’s Love: The lyrics express the singer’s desire for Christ to “be the Lord of my emotions” and to “let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails,” mirroring the transformative nature of Christ’s presence in our lives as depicted in the readings.
4. Hope and Refuge: The song portrays Christ as a source of hope and a refuge in times of darkness, echoing the theme of salvation and redemption found in the readings, particularly in Revelation 1:5-8.
5. Eternal Nature of Christ: The line “You are good, good, oh” emphasizes the unchanging goodness of Christ, reminiscent of the eternal and divine nature of Jesus as the “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 1:5-8).
6. Commitment to Christ: The lyrics “You’re the King of my heart” and “Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide” encapsulate the devotion and commitment to Christ’s kingship that the readings call for.

SENDING FORTH

He Is Exalted

Twila Paris

💿 SPIRIT & PSALMLIVE RECORDING

Choose Christ 2024 #178;
Spirit & Song #196;
Never Too Young #94

KEY THEMES:

1. Christ’s Kingship: The song’s central theme of Christ’s exaltation aligns with Daniel 7:13-14, which speaks of the “son of man” receiving “dominion, glory, and kingship.” Both the song and the reading emphasize Christ’s rightful place as King.
2. Praise and Worship: The call to praise and worship in the song echoes Revelation 1:5-8, which emphasizes the faithful witness of Jesus and the importance of glorifying him.
3. Christ’s Sovereignty: The lyrics “He is the Lord; forever His truth shall reign” resonate with John 18:33b-37, where Jesus speaks of his kingdom and his authority as King.