On the last Sunday of the Church's year, the Lord is calling us to harvest all the graces of this past year and express their life-changing power by making the greatest act of faith we have ever made. The Lord Jesus is calling us to acknowledge Him as King of kings and Lord of lords even in the worst circumstances. Religious leaders continue jeering at Jesus as they compromise with the ways of the world (Lk 23:35). Soldiers still make fun of Jesus and of those who refuse to join them (Lk 23:36). Criminals persist in blaspheming Jesus (Lk 23:39). Most people, even Christians, just stand there watching (Lk 23:35). They know if they speak up for Jesus, they may be crucified too.

However, we must be like the good thief and speak up for Jesus (Lk 23:40). Maybe we'll be the only ones to acknowledge Jesus as our King. We may even be crucified because we aren't "going along with the crowd." Nonetheless, we will speak up for Jesus even if that means repentance, the daily cross (Lk 9:23), rejection, and persecution. We will rejoice to live as subjects of King Jesus. Then we will be kings and queens ourselves (1 Pt 2:9; Rv 5:10). Later, we will live with King Jesus forever in paradise (Lk 23:43).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013

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