26th November 2017 - Advent at the Abbey (Feast of Christ the King)

This Sunday marks the end of the liturgical year with the celebration of the solemnity of Christ the King and with it we begin to count the days of Advent. On this weeks programme we are joined by Fr Luke McNamara OSB from Glenstal Abbey who reflects on a forth coming reflection series for Advent being hosted at Glenstal. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as other liturgical odds & ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

Advent at the Abbey

With the celebration of American Thanksgiving this week, the cross pollination of cultures has seen the concept of "Black Friday" cross the Atlantic with force this year and even though there is still five weeks to Christmas, the commercial exploitation of the religious holiday has started with some effort this year.

As we try to remind ourselves why we celebrate in December, each year, on the programme we try to emphasis the need to give space to the season of Advent and to all time and space to properly prepare but often easier said than done for  many people.

However, this year the community at Glenstal are providing a time out in this busy time to explore over the Sundays of Advent the message of the prophets who awaited the coming of Messiah and how they still speak to us today.

Fr Luke McNamara joins John and Shane on this weeks programme to introduce the series of talks and reflections coming up over December as well as to share on the preparations that the abbey community make to carve out the liturgical space for Advent.

You can listen to the interview with Fr Luke excerpted from the main programme podcast HERE.














Gospel - Matthew 25: 31- 46 - Solemnity of Christ the King

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe was instituted by Pope Pius XI in the Encyclical Quas Primas in 1925.  This solemnity is always celebrated on the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical year.  It is fitting to reflect on the Kingship of Jesus at this time of the year.  Every time we pray the Our Father or the Creed, we are praying for the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God.  But what does that kingdom look like? What does it mean? After all the example of Jesus as King is counter to what we expect and understand of kingship - rather it is a model of service and love. 


This weeks gospel poses before us the call to respond like our Servant Master to the needs of those around us. Are we doing what we can so that the hungry are fed, the thirsty given to drink, the stranger made welcome, the naked clothed, the imprisoned visited .... that Jesus Christ's vision is at the centre of all we say and all we do. In this way Jesus is King. King of our hearts - the servant King.

What can you do this week that will make the Kingdom a reality?

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans - The Majesty of Christ Crucified
Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 2; 34th week in ordinary time

Saints of the Week

27th November - St Fergal
28th November - St Catherine Laboure - the Seer of the Miraculous Medal
29th November - St Brendan of Birr
30th November - St Andrew the apostle
1st December - Blessed Charles de Foucauld also St Edmund Campion(First Friday)
2nd December - Blessed Ivan Sleziuk (First Saturday)