Bible Study for the Week of Christ the King
  • 11/25 – Zechariah 6:12-13 – Lord Jesus, You are both Priest and King. Grant that I may always be led by You in worship and service.
  • 11/26 – John 19:14 – Lord Jesus, You were mocked even though You are God and King. Grant that I may endure mockery and trial always remaining loyal to You and Your will for me.
  • 11/27 – Matthew 28:9 – Lord Jesus, at Your resurrection Your disciples and followers recognized and worshiped You as King. Grant that I may always recognize You as my sole Lord and King.
  • 11/28 – Acts 1:3 – Lord Jesus, You spoke to Your followers about Your kingdom. Grant that my faith and obedience to Your way may lead me into Your kingdom.
  • 11/29 – Acts 2:29-33 – Lord Jesus, Son of God, Son of David, all prophetic teaching is fulfilled in You. Grant me the faith and confidence to rely on Your revelation and teaching. Protect me from false prophets and anything apart from You.
  • 11/30 – Colossians 1:13 – Lord Jesus, You have opened the kingdom to me. Help me to proclaim the joys of knowing You, of living in Your kingdom, so that many may also come to You.
  • 12/1 – Revelation 1:9 – Lord Jesus, You have gathered me into the family of faith, Your Holy Church. Grant that I may patiently endure trial, so as to enter with joy into Your heavenly kingdom.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may hold You ever as Lord and King of my life.

Reflection for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Do you know a good podiatrist?
My Achilles is bothering me.

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, His kingship shall not be destroyed.”

We may recall the myth of Achilles from our school days.

The gods gave Achilles’ mother a choice as to how her son’s life should be: short but glorious or long but obscure. Fearing for her son’s safety, Achilles’ mother chose long but obscure. His mother also bargained with the gods for additional protection from harm. They told her to immerse Achilles in the waters of the Styx River, which would immunize him from all harm. His mother did this, holding onto Achilles by the ankle. Of course, this part of the boy did not receive the protection of the gods, and proved to be Achilles downfall. Achilles died after being shot in the ankle by Paris’ arrow during the battle of Troy.

From this mythology we derive the term Achilles heel. It is the weakness, the failings we all have. We certainly have many positive and wonderful qualities, certain skills and talents, those things (and there are many) that make us special. We also know that we have that Achilles heel, the particular sin, shortcoming, or weakness that might well prove to be our downfall.

For podiatrists, the Achilles tendon is the tendon of in the back of the leg that attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. Injuries to this tendon can require long healing time and rehabilitation.

We set aside this Sunday to recognize and celebrate the kingship of Christ. What does Achilles have to do with the kingship of Jesus?

It is in this: That Jesus as Lord and King of all things, and most particularly of our hearts and souls, has the power to overcome our Achilles heels.

Our Achilles heels lead to injury, in ourselves and in others. We might not even recognize our Achilles heels! We may think we are relatively ok.

The reality is we all lay unprotected, vulnerable, injured, in need to healing and rehabilitation. When we recognize this we might try to fix it ourselves, but that is not possible. Rather we need to throw ourselves on the mercy of our King, relying on Him. With Him we have the grace to overcome as well as His healing.

Our King, Jesus Christ, is the absolute guarantor of protection, of healing, renewal, and eternal life. Our lives will not be long and uneventful with Him. Making Him the Lord, worshiping, adoring, relying on, and serving Him, fixes every weakness in us, and gives us unending life in His Kingdom.

Thankful for

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

To all our members, parishioners, benefactors, friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ, and all who dwell with us in our land,

On behalf of our Parish Committee and myself, I pray that your Thanksgiving celebration is filled with great joy, togetherness, and time to reflect on the many blessings we share in. May your day and travels be safe.

We are so thankful for each of you, for your fellowship enriches each of us. Our mutual work for the kingdom becomes an occasion for rejoicing because of you. You are in our prayers of thanksgiving this day and every day.

As we reflect today, we recount these many blessings received, in material things, but most importantly in the gift of true fellowship and freedom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All thanksgiving and praise be His.

— Deacon Jim

Bible Study for the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
  • 11/18 – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Lord Jesus, whatever I face in my life, good or bad, grant me a spirit of thankfulness for all You do for me, and how You instruct me.
  • 11/19 – Philippians 2:13 – Holy Spirit, grant that I may recognize and give thanks for Your presence and work in my life. May my efforts, with the gift of Your grace, bear much fruit.
  • 11/20 – 1 Timothy 6:17 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may be thankful for Your gifts, and solely reliant on You. If I am provided much, grant that I may not place my faith and reliance on those gifts, but only on You.
  • 11/21 – Psalm 95:6 – Lord God, make me humble before You, worshipful toward You. I owe You my thanksgiving.
  • 11/22 – Psalm 100:1-5 – Lord God, grant that I may make a joyful noise to You. That I may worship You with gladness; come before You filled with song. Grant that I may know You as my Lord and God. May I be thankful before You, for I am Yours. May I ever praise and bless Your Holy Name with thanksgiving. I know Your goodness, Your steadfast love, Your faithfulness that is for all time.
  • 11/23 – Colossians 2:7 – Lord, continuously teach and instruct me in Your ways. Grant me the gift of understanding as well as thankfulness for Your word.
  • 11/24 – Luke 17:15-16 – Lord, I know that I am never a stranger or outsider with You. Grant me the grace to remember the way You accept me, praising and thanking You for Your wonderful gift of love.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may continually return to you in thanksgiving.

Reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We thank You Lord.
…and anticipate Your coming.

“‘And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds'”

It is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and our readings focus on the end times, the second coming of Jesus. It can seem like a scary and even depressing subject when we want to focus on celebrating.

When we hear Jesus speak of these images of darkness, falling stars, and the heavens being shaken we are shaken. Daniel reminds us that these will be times of “surpassing distress.”

We grow a little frightened, what if Jesus were really to come tomorrow, or in the next hour, or minute? We certainly may consider ourselves unprepared.

Maybe we are prepared for Thanksgiving. The turkey is purchased, the potatoes, yams, vegetables, those special items unique to our family traditions are stored away. But are we prepared to meet Jesus when He returns?

As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s prepare ourselves; fill ourselves with a spirit of thankfulness. Let that thankfulness include a sense of praise and anticipation for Jesus’ coming.

Whatever the events that will precede the glorious appearance of Jesus with the angelic cohort, we should gladly celebrate Jesus’ promise and be thankful for it. We know that when He comes we will be ready to be drawn to His side.

We are the people Daniel speaks of because of our faith in Jesus. “The wise who shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, those who lead the many to justice who shall be like the stars forever.”

Like the psalmist, we can declare that the Lord is our inheritance. What a wonderful thing to be thankful for, an inheritance with God forever in His kingdom.

As we pray this Thanksgiving let us set aside our concern over the events of the end times. Any fantastic theories and predictions about the end of the world and return of Christ are worthless. Instead, praise God and be thankful for the spirit of renewal, which prepares us for Jesus. Pray Maranatha – a word meaning, “Come, O Lord.” This prayer asks for the speedy and early return of Christ.

Build desire and thankfulness for the Second Coming. This is our preparation. To live in the hope that strengthens and fortifies us seeking always to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study for the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
  • 11/11 – Romans 13:7 – Lord Jesus, on this day I honor those who have served. Grant them Your graces for all they offered for me and my country.
  • 11/12 – Luke 23:26 – Lord, Simon of Cyrene was drafted into service. Grant your protection and healing to all who respond generously when drafted to serve.
  • 11/13 – Deuteronomy 32:30-31 – Father, You watch over, protect, and defend those who are faithful to You. Grant me an increase in faithfulness to You and reliance on You as my defense.
  • 11/14 – Philippians 2:4 – Lord, I thank you for all who respond generously by setting aside their own interests for the good of others. Grant me that same spirit of service, dedication, and love.
  • 11/15 – 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – Lord, You have enlisted me as your soldier, to proclaim and live Your love. Grant me singular focus and dedication to Your mission.
  • 11/16 – 1 Samuel 12:14 – Lord, grant that the leaders of my country will fear and serve You, heed Your voice, and not rebel against Your commandment. Grant that they not become arrogant because of money or military power, thus leading us all to the good.
  • 11/17 – Joshua 6:2 – Lord, all victory is found in You. May I rely on Your strength over my own, Your power over mine, and Your path over my selfish ends. By doing so, may the enemies that beset me, especially sin, be destroyed.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I honor all those who serve.

A Prayer for Veteran’s Day

We thank Thee, Lord, for America, our home. We bless Thee for the liberty, the opportunity, and the abundance we share. But above all we praise Thee for the traditions which have made our country great, and for the patriots who have laid the foundations through faith, courage, and self-sacrifice. Teach us in our own day the meaning of citizenship, and help us to be faithful stewards of the responsibility which Thou entrusted to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for our Country from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church