St Teresa & St John Southworth Churches, Cleveleys
Fr Chris Cousens—Phone: 853340
Rev Bernard Ward (Deacon) (Tel: 858346)
Enquiries for St John Southworth: Phone: 853340
20 November 2022
http://www.st-teresas-church.co.uk
Email: st.teresas.cleveleys@gmail.com
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity Number 23433
Sunday : Christ the King
Contents: Gospel
Notices
Reflections for the coming week
Gospel: Luke 23:35-43
The people stayed there before the cross watching Jesus. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen one.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer him vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said: ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’
Gospel Reflection : The Suffering Servant
How is this person Jesus Christ, who is both human and divine, and who was mocked and killed through the cruelty of his people, a King?
The power of Jesus is seen on a cross, and the cross is his throne. Maybe we see him at his truest there, forgetful of self, mindful of the thief beside him on Calvary, compassionate to the end, and saying “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
The power of Christ our King is in the weakness of love, and the strength of compassion. His leadership is in the sharing of struggles, and in his vision of humanity. His attraction is in his care for all, and in his urgency for justice. His influence is from the truth of God and his desire that God’s word be heard in the way we live our daily lives.
Jesus is a king not only of the future but of today, not only of heaven but of earth, not of power but of service, for he comes among us as one who serves
Compassion, love, forgiveness, wholehearted care and acceptance of us all – this is Jesus the KIng, fully human, fully divine, Son of God and Son of Mary.
We Remember In Our Prayers Dorothy Hegginbotham, whose Funeral Service is at Carleton Crematorium on Tuesday, 22nd November at 2.45 pm, Kenneth (Ken) Evans whose Funeral is at Carleton Crematorium on Thursday, 24th November at 11 am, Raymond (Ray) Nelson whose Funeral is at Carleton Crematorium on Wednesday, 30th November at 11.45 am, Gerry Diamond whose Funeral Service is at St. Teresa’s on Monday. 5th December at 11.30 am, and Mavis McQuillan whose Funeral has yet to be arranged. We remember them and their families, and those whose anniversaries are at this time. May they all be in God’s peace.
We Welcome Into The Family of the Church Mabel Betty Gregson who is being Baptised at St. Teresa’s this Sunday.
Youth Sunday is celebrated this weekend. Each year at this time we pray for our young people, and those who care for them. We also take a Special Collection for the Youth Services of our Diocese. Our young people benefit greatly from the provision of our Youth Services, including at Castlerigg Manor in Keswick, and through our Schools.
Our Area Youth Sunday Celebration , as we have been advertising, is this Sunday, 20th November, 5 pm at English Martyrs Church, Poulton – 154, High Cross Road, Poulton, FY6 8DA (opposite the Carter and Miller Steakhouse).
Keeping Warm As many may already know, we are opening up the kitchen end of St. Teresa’s Parish Hall each Wednesday afternoon to provide a warm space for ANYONE, just to spend time sitting, reading, playing cards/dominoes, or chatting, whilst enjoying hot drinks, biscuits or maybe even some toast or a cake or two! The times of opening are : Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm The main aim is to provide a safe, warm space for a few hours, at ZERO COST to yourselves.
Anyone wanting to help on a rota basis, please leave your name with Sue or Bernard at the back of church, or call/text 07889 532158 or 01253 858346
The Church Shop In The Outer Porch At St. Teresa’s is open before and after each weekend Mass. Please feel free to go in and look round. Christmas cards are available, as are Confirmation cards and gifts, and 2023 diaries, with the order of Mass printed.
Next weeknd – An Evening of Music, Dance and Drama has been arranged, as a tribute to the lateTom Gradwell. Tom founded the Teresian Players, and produced and directed plays, and over 30 annual Pantomimes. He also did so much besides for St. Teresa’s parish community, like organising social occasions, founding, with Gerard Brimelow, the Anchorsholme Singers, and for several years being the Hall Manager of St. Teresa’s Parish Hall. This ‘tribute’ will take place in St. Teresa’s Parish Hall on Saturday, 26th November. Please feel free to bring your own refreshments. For tickets and further information please phone : 01253 829207 or 07866 156333
Daily Reflections for this week
Monday According to the saying of our Lord and Saviour, the Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, ‘Look, there it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within us. The word is very near us; it is on our lips and in our heart. It is clear from this that when we pray that God’s Kingdom may come we are praying that it may come within us, that it may rise, flourish and reach its full growth. (Origen)
Scripture (Luke 23:33-38)
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ Then they cast lots to share out his clothing. The people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words ‘He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him was an inscription:
‘This is the King of the Jews.
Tuesday Christ our Lord came and took upon himself our humanity. All power was his but he wished the free love and service of people. He did not force anyone to believe. He did not coerce anyone. He emptied himself and became a servant. He showed the way to true leadership by coming to minister, not to be ministered unto. He did not need pomp and circumstance to prove himself the Son of God. Today, those who live by force, who seek to dominate, are like those who said to our Lord, “Come down from the cross. If you are the Son of God, save yourself.” But Christ did not come down from the cross. (Dorothy Day)
Scripture (John 18:33-38)
Pilate said to Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others said it to you about me?’ Pilate answered,’ Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if it were, my men would have fought to prevent my surrender to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.’ Pilate said, ‘So, then you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth: and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’
Wednesday (Henri Nouwen)
In Jesus’ presence, James and John had experienced something radically new, something that went beyond anything they had imagined. Yes, they wanted power and influence, but beyond that they wanted to stay close to Jesus at all costs. As their journey continued, they gradually discovered what they had said yes to. They heard about being a servant instead of a master, about seeking the last place instead of the first, about giving up their lives instead of controlling others. They had to keep making the choice: did they want to stay with Jesus or look for someone else who could give them the power they desired?
Scripture (Philippians2:6-11)
Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God as something to be grasped. But he emptied himself to take the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this, God raised him high, and gave him a name which is above all names.
Thursday (Jean Vanier)
Peter had a number of disillusionments when he was following Jesus. He was disillusioned when Jesus was not altogether as he would have wanted him. He would have preferred a Jesus who was prophetic and messianic, who didn’t insist on washing the disciple’s feet, who didn’t speak of dying. The greatest disillusionment came when Jesus became weak and died.
Scripture. (1Cor. 1: 18-25)
The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but to those on the road to salvation it is the power of God. Do you not see how God has shown up human wisdom as folly? Since in the wisdom of God the world was unable to recognise God through wisdom, it was God’s own pleasure to save believers through the folly of the Gospel. While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, we are preaching a crucified Christ, a Christ who is both the power of God and the wisdom of God. God’s folly is wiser than human wisdom and God’s weakness is wiser than human strength.
Friday (Anthony de Mello)
The Emperor of China sent ambassadors to a hermit living in the mountains to invite him to become prime minister of the kingdom. When they finally arrived, they found the man half-naked, sitting on a rock, fishing with a line. The hermit came to them and asked what they wanted. “Honoured sir,” they said,” His majesty the Emperor, having heard of your wisdom and holiness, has sent us with these gifts. He invites you to accept the post of prime minister of the realm.” The hermit roared with laughter. When he was able to control himself, he said, “Tell me, is it true that mounted over the main altar of the emperor’s chapel is a stuffed turtle whose shell is encrusted with sparkling diamonds and that once a day the emperor and his household do homage to this turtle?” They told him that this was true. The hermit continued “Now take this turtle here, wagging his tail in the muck. Do you think he would change places with the turtle in the palace?” They thought that he would not. “Then go tell the emperor that neither would I. For no one can be alive on a pedestal.”
Scripture (Mk. 10:17-22)
A man ran up to Jesus, knelt down before him and said “What must I do to inherit eternal life? I have kept all the commandments since my earliest days.” Jesus looked steadily at him and was filled with love for him, and he said “You need to do one more thing. Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But the man’s face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Martin Bennett