From the Friars: Viva Cristo Rey!

Today on this Solemnity of Christ the King, we hear the story of the good thief. The faith of this man is quite extraordinary. For all appearances Jesus’ life was a complete failure. The supposed great prophet, who many thought was the long-awaited Messiah that would deliver God’s people from the oppression of the Romans, was nailed to a cross.

The Jewish leaders mocked him. His own disciples abandoned him. Yet this condemned criminal recognizes the truth of Who Jesus is. And so he makes his humble request to be remembered when Our Lord comes in His Kingly power. For this he is promised paradise that very day.

Today, we can see a parallel of this with the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, especially in the western world. The sexual revolution, the pride of material and technological success, and the clerical abuse scandals are some factors that have led to a major crisis of faith. In the days of Cardinal Cushing, the Archdiocese of Boston was booming with many new churches, schools, hospitals and other institutions. In our day, despite the secular building boom, the Church is closing parishes and schools, has sold her hospitals, and is seeing large numbers abandoning their faith.

A friend of mine asked a young man visiting from Ireland if he went to Mass and he replied, “oh no, we’ve gotten beyond all that.”

Pope Benedict XVI predicted that the Church would become smaller but stronger. Those who now choose to follow Jesus must do so knowing that it is not a popular path. His Kingship is not of this world. The few that stayed faithful to Our Lord during His apparent defeat, His Holy Mother first and foremost, were blessed to witness His triumph when He rose again on the third day.

We too can give God glory, like the good thief, by our fidelity during this time of crisis. “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.” (Jn 7:24)

The world may mock, but Jesus Christ has overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)

Viva Cristo Rey!

–Fr. Peter