LITURGICAL PLANNING

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Year B / Sunday, November 21, 2021

This Sunday’s Readings: 

Daniel 7:13–14

Psalm 93:1, 1–2, 5

Revelation 1:5–8

John 18:33b–37

WE MOVE FROM MARK’S GOSPEL TO JOHN’S ON THIS FINAL SUNDAY OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR. The question of kingship is Pilate’s focus in John’s narrative of the passion. But those with faith already know who the real King is here in this trial.

A bigger focus that John’s Gospel gives us from the very beginning is this: What makes the King who comes from heaven different? The answer appears throughout Jesus’s passion: He hands himself and everything he has over for the sake of those who belong to him. (Notice how often variations of the phrase “hand over” appear throughout the events of Jesus’s last days—twice in today’s Gospel passage alone.)

From the beginning, the Father gives his Son to dwell among us, and Jesus’s whole purpose is to give testimony to the truth of the Father. As true King, Jesus does not grab, hoard, or amass what he has for himself but freely gives to his friends everything the Father has given to him. On the cross, Jesus hands over his spirit, a Johannine Pentecost. And through the Spirit who unites us together, Christ will hand us back to the Father as a perfect offering of praise.

Unlike earthly rulers, Christ, the King of the Universe, gives his own life that all may have life in him.

–Diana Macalintal

Suggested Music

GIA Hymnal Suggestions
WLP Resource Suggestions

Choral Suggestions:

Choral Fanfare for Christ the King

H. Hamilton Smith

G-5310 · SATB, organ

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Setting by Robert J. Powell

G-3222 · SATB, organ, brass quartet

Crown Him with Many Crowns

Arr. Richard Proulx

G-4985 · SATB, assembly, organ, 6-9 brass, percussion, timpani

To You Who Bow

Rory Cooney

G-4985 · SAB, assembly, keyboard, guitar, opt. flute, trumpet, cello

MYSTAGOGY MOMENT:

“To you who weep, to you who bleed, who dreamed the boundaries of Orion but will not break the reed…to you we lift our song, love ever new, O God who bows, we sing our song to you.”

Today, we rightfully sing love songs to a King, but this is a truly different kind of king. Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—the King who created the Universe!—is our Creator, our liberator, and our friend. How do we pay homage to a king who is both almighty and merciful, both strong and gentle? By following his lead in the ways we love, in the ways we pursue peace, and in the ways we live for God and for others. We bow before the one who bows and bends and has shown us a better way. We choose to live that better way.

–Jennifer Odegard

The King of Love My Shepherd Is / O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God

Arranged by Tony Alonso

G-9459 · SAB, assembly, keyboard, guitar, flute, oboe

More choral suggestions for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe…

At the Name of Jesus  Caroline Maria Noel & Ed Bolduc  SATB, cantor, assembly, keyboard, guitar  007351

Clap Your Hands  Arr. Greg Scheer. SATB, cantor, flute or piccolo, percussion 005920

El Amor de Dios / God’s Love Is Everlasting  Lourdes Montgomery  Two-part choir, cantor, assembly, keyboard, guitar  012649

Fanfare and Processional: He Is King of Kings  Arr. Undine Smith Moore  SATB, organ, opt. brass sextet, percussion  G-6435

He Is King of Kings  Arr. Alice Parker SAATB  G-4234

Jesus Reigns  John Angotti Three-part choir, cantor, assembly, keyboard, guitar  008485

O God of Love, O King of Peace  Arr. Keith S. Kalemba SATB, keyboard, oboe 008730

Rejoice! Be Glad! from Eight Choral Introits for Feasts and Solemnities  Richard Proulx  SATB a cappella  005862

Tú Reinarás  Arr. S. Van Wye  SATB, cantor, assembly, organ, opt. brass quartet, timpani  012727

Your Love Will Reign Victorious  Mikey Needleman  Two-part choir, cantor, assembly, keyboard, guitar  008053