Sunday between 20 and 26 November    

Thirty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time    Last Sunday before Advent    Christ the King (Year C)

First Reading - 2 Samuel 5.1-3

A reading from the second book of Samuel. The elders of the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood. And even while Saul has been king over us, you have been the one who has led us. And we know that the Lord has spoken to you, declaring that you will be the shepherd and leader of Israel.’ So David made a covenant with the elders of Israel, in the presence of the Lord, at Hebron. And there, the elders anointed David to be king over Israel. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Colossians 1.12-20

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians. Christ is the image of the invisible God; and the firstborn from before all creation. In Christ, all things were created, both in heaven and on earth, both the visible and the invisible (by which we mean dominions, authorities, and powers). All things were created through Christ, and for Christ. Christ existed before all things; and now it is in Christ that all things hold together. Christ is then also the head of the body which is the church; its beginning, as the firstborn from the dead. Christ has first place in everything. And so it is, that in Christ, all things, in heaven and on earth, can be reconciled, and at peace, through the sacrifice of the cross. So let us always, joyfully, give thanks to God the Father, who has rescued us, from the power of darkness, to dwell, forgiven, with the saints, in light, in the kingdom of his beloved Son. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 23.33-43

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there, with the criminals, one on his right, and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided his clothing between them. And the people stood by, watching. The inscription above him read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ The soldiers taunted him, saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ And they offered him bitter wine. The religious leaders also mocked him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Messiah, God’s chosen one!’ One of the criminals crucified alongside him also mocked him, saying, ‘If you are the Messiah, save yourself - and us!’ But the other criminal said to him, ‘Have you no fear of God? We are being punished for our crimes, but this man has done no wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus replied, ‘Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.