It's been a while since I posted much on here aside from homilies and info on the history of Halloween, so I thought an update might be in order. My second-to-last semester here at Kenrick is almost at an end. There is only a week and a half left, and that includes no less than four final exams, a presentation, and a homily. Pray for us. It's a stressful and tiresome time of year.

That being said, we are all rested after returning from Thanksgiving break. For the novelty of it I took the Amtrak trains from St. Louis up to Minneapolis to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. It was good to see them, and my nephew Noah is growing like crazy (he's about 6 months old now). This was my first "real" train ride, and I enjoyed it. If the train works for your travel itinerary, I highly recommend it. It's an enjoyable ride, and it's much less stressful than planes and airports. If you're trapped on a train for 15 hours, you can get a lot of homework done.

Once I plow through these final exams, homilies, papers, and so on, my buddy Jesse and I are going to tackle section 5 (of 7) of the Southern Tier Adventure Cycling route from December 11th-20th (see the map above). We'll fly down to College Station, TX, on the 11th, ride bicycle from there to Baton Rouge, LA, from where we'll fly back home for Christmas. Our bikes are both on the way down there already, and should be waiting for us when we get there. On this trip, I hope to use my Android-based cell phone to provide my location on a map in near-real-time for those who wish to follow our progress. I may also post some pictures and updates from along the route via Twitter. Check back soon to see if I get a tour web page up.

Oh, and one more piece of good news. No, it's great news. My graduate thesis is now completely finished and graded. I worked on it, off and on, for at least a couple of years. The (especially lengthy) title is Prophets on the Digital Continent: Magisterial Guidance for the Exercise of the Christian Duty to Evangelize Using Modern, Social Means of Communication. I might make copies available for those interested. Let me know if you're one who is interested.

With that, back to my test preparation work.

Happy Advent,
Deacon Jason

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday on the Church calendar. The following homily is based on these readings.

Today, on the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, we have before us the most dramatic scene in the Gospel: Christ, hanging on the cross. As he hung in agony most of those around him showed no compassion. The rulers stood nearby, blind to the fact that Christ has chosen to die for their sake. The soldiers jeered at him, laughing at the sign nailed to above Jesus’ head, not understanding the truth of the statement that Jesus is the King.

This gruesome scene is recalled now, at the end of the year, to “set the crowning glory upon the mysteries of the life of Christ already commemorated during the year” (Pius XI, Quas Primas). It gives us a chance to recall that Christ is ruler over everything. That said, our readings today suggest three areas in which he especially is our King: politics, religion, and humanity.

Our first reading shows us Christ is King of our politics. We heard of how the tribes of Israel anointed David as their king. Before that, if you remember, Saul had been their king. Unfortunately, Saul did not rule in accord with God’s will. He was jealous and greedy. He failed to rule as a humble servant of God. Consequently his power began to fall apart and after his death a civil war broke out. David was eventually chosen as the next King. Unlike Saul he ruled as God’s representative, not as one hungry for power. He has been seen as the ideal King ever since.

When Pius XI added this feast day to the Church calendar in 1925, he wrote that “once men recognize both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.” Like the good thief, David was a humble man. He made mistakes, yes, but always returned to the Lord, aware that if he was to be a successful leader, he would have to remember that even though he had power as an earthly king, the Lord is the true King and the source of all authority.

In whatever way we find ourselves as leaders in our homes, offices, or governments, we should always remember that, as Pius XI put it, “if … rulers … wish to preserve their authority … they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ.” A practical way to keep this in mind is the placement of a crucifix on the wall at home and, if possible, at the office.

Our second reading shows us how Christ is King of our religion. Paul wrote this letter to address some confusion in the Church of the Colossians. Someone had come to that church and taught goofy stuff about angels, the power of the stars, and so on… a lot like we have people today suggesting astrology might help us in some way. Rather than try to figure it out on their own they, wisely, asked Paul to help them understand if what they’d been hearing was true. Paul told them that these teachings only distracted them from what’s really important for salvation: the person and work of Christ. It is Christ, not the stars or the angels, who is “the firstborn of all creation,” and into whose kingdom we have been admitted by the forgiveness of our sins.

The same goes for us, of course. Christ is the source of our forgiveness and salvation. We should worship him in the manner he asks and seek forgiveness in the manner he asks: in the sacraments, particularly Mass and reconciliation.

Finally, our Gospel reading shows us how Christ is King of our humanity. Crucified next to Jesus were those two criminals. One cried out to Jesus and tempted him to prove that he was the Christ by saving him. That criminal appealed to Christ’s mercy, but not to his justice. He had no sorrow for his sin and did not repent. He didn’t take Christ seriously as a fair king and judge. It seemed that almost nobody in this gruesome scene took him seriously, except for the humble criminal crucified on his other side, the “good thief.” This “good thief” admitted his guilt, repented, and appealed both to Christ’s mercy and to his justice. He recognized Christ as King when he asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom.

Like David, like the Colossians, and like all good Christians, the good thief accepted that he was a subject of the Divine King, Jesus Christ. And in the King’s presence he was completely honest and humble. And as such he was rewarded in hearing Jesus’ powerful words “today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Jesus Christ is the rightful King over all of creation. He claims his throne both by birth (he is the Son of God) and also by his conquest of sin on the cross. In our politics, our religion, and in all aspects of our humanity, we need to remember that Christ reigns over all.

-Jason