Christ the King

In Mexico City, there is a 72-foot bronze monument of Christ the King with its arms outstretched at the very heart of this city. It is one of the symbols of Mexican Catholicism, an icon of their faith. It stands as a powerful reminder to the Mexicans of the 1926-1929 Roman Catholic uprising against its atheistic government and its anti-catholic laws.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated an open-air Mass there before an estimated crowd of 350,000 people. But more than 70 years ago, this was not allowed. Many other restrictions were imposed. For instance, wearing a clerical garb was punishable by a fine of P500. A priest criticizing the government can be imprisoned for 5 years. The government expelled foreign priests and missionaries. It also closed down many convents, monasteries and religious schools. The Mexican President in those days just did not want catholic teachings to be part of people’s life. In short, it was a crime to be a Catholic. Christianity was outlawed in Mexico. As a consequence took arms in defense for their freedom of worship. In the Cristero was that ensued, more than 90,000 people died according to historians. Their battle cry was: Viva Cristo Rey!

This persecution of the catholics produced many martyrs. Among them was the Jesuit priest, Miguel Pro. Because of the anti-clerical provisions of the 1917 Constitutions, Fr. Miguel went “underground.” He celebrated Mass clandestinely. He used disguises so that he could minister to people and offer them the sacraments of baptism, confession of marriages. Finally, as much surveillance on the part of the government, he was arrested. He was tried in court. And ironically he was given false charges of bombing and assassination attempt of the former President.

He was then sentence to death by firring squad. Upon his execution, he refused to be blindfolded. He faced his executioners with crucifix and rosary on his hands. He was telling to them “I forgive you. God bless you!” As the shots were fired at him, he shouted at the top of his voice: “Viva Cristo Rey!” He died with Jesus on his lips.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It marks the last Sunday of Ordinary Time. Next week would be Advent, the start of the Christmas preparation. It makes us realize that in our life’s story Christ is the “alpha and omega” – the beginning and the end.

This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as a reminder that in the end Jesus will triumph. He will reign. The book of Daniel in the First Reading, narrates the vision of the prophet. He saw a lot of creatures – symbol of temporal power that last only for a time. Then One like a Son of Man coming on the clouds would appear. He will be given glory and power. His reign will not end. This is Jesus the Messiah!

We may experience sufferings, trials and persecutions but God will be victorious in the end. Let us not be afraid! Our story will have a beautiful finale: it will not be a defeat! We will not be losers. We shall triumph. So let us be faithful and not lose hope.

On Cristero priest, Fr. Vega, remarked: “Do not allow the godless to take away our faith.” We make a conscious and intentional act to make Jesus King of our life!

Reign of God

Sociologist and philosophers describe our era as the Postmodern time. It is characterized by a general skepticism of anything absolute and universal. Instead it focuses on the relative truth of each person. Society is viewed as in a state of constant change. Thus reality only comes into being through our interpretation of what the world means to us individually. This paradigm teaches that “there is no longer any one big story that is able to make sense of our little stories.” We create our own reality because all realities are simply social construct. We are products of our own culture and contexts. The Postmodern approach is exemplified by Roger Lundin, Wheaton College professor who explains in his book “The Culture of Interpretation” that all principles are preferences – and only preferences.

In the Postmodern mind, God tends to be ignored. There is a strong culture of denial of God’s existence. And if He exists at all, He certainly has nothing to say about what we should believe or how we should behave. The emphasis is on feelings and emotions because even moral values are relative. You may believe in what you want. Go for what makes you feel good. Religion is cafeteria style – you choose from what fits your taste. The absence of a standard criteria for right and wrong leads to a culture of meaninglessness and absurdity. In Europe, they talk of a Post-Christian Era or the end of Christianity. The “God is Dead” ideology has taken a higher level that man of today has no need of God anymore. God is irrelevant. He is insignificant. This accounts for what has been observed as a “profound crisis of faith.” In a de-christianized society, we are now in what Charles Taylor describe as “secular age.”

Christianity continues to be counter cultural. It, not only, insists that God lives. He even reigns. He is in control of the destiny of the world and humanity. This vision, however, is only accessible by faith. Through faith, the Christian is able to see a wider view of things and even penetrate the mysteries of God. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of what lies beyond what the eyes cannot see. It gives us a vision of the new heaven and new earth where Jesus reigns. The feast of Christ the King is an invitation to honor Jesus as Lord who remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

The highlight of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Mexico last March was his open-air Mass in the shadow of the Christ the King monument. It is one of the symbols of Mexican Catholicism. The 72-foot bronze monument of Christ with outstretched arms serves as a powerful reminder to Mexicans of the 1926-1929 Roman Catholic uprising against the government and its anti-clerical laws that prohibited public Masses like the one the Pope delivered in front of 350,000 people.

I saw this Catholic uprising in film “For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada.” It tells the epic tale of Mexico’s heroic struggle for religious freedom in a little-known conflict called the Cristero War. The character who inspired me most was 14-year old Jose Luis Sanchez. He joined the revolutionaries against the wishes of his mother but he persuaded her saying: “Mamá, it has never been easier to earn heaven as now.” In one fierce fighting, he was captured and tortured by the federal soldiers to intimidate him to abandon the Cristero fight.

But Jose was determined to die for his faith. They flayed the skin from the soles of his feet and obliged him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. They also struck him with a machete until he was bleeding from several wounds. He cried and moaned with pain, but he did not give in. The soldiers enticed him, 'If you shout, "Death to Christ the King" we will spare your life.' José would only shout, “Viva Cristo Rey!'" When they reached the place of execution, his captors stabbed him numerous times with bayonets. The commander was so furious that he pulled out his pistol and shot José. Moments before his death, the boy drew a cross in the dirt and kissed it. It is the price of those who risked their lives for God. In 2005 Pope Benedict XVI beatified him as a martyr.

At the end of each day, I am reminded of the end of my life. As I review the work and the worries of my day, I mentally do several things. I thank God for what I have accomplished in His honor. I ask sorry for the things I have mishandled. And I ask for more strength as I toil in His vineyard. It gives me comfort that I sleep in hope and confidence knowing that I intentionally allowed God to reign as Lord of my life.

(This article also appears in the Sunday Faith Section of Cebu Daily News – 25 November 2012)

Generosity and Faith

A priest accompanied a convict to the electric chair. As they were walking, he was thinking what will he say to encourage and console a man about to die? Will he say – goodbye? Take care? Or see you later? The priest was at a loss for the right words to say.

Finally, as the convict got to the electric chair, the priest patted him on the shoulders and said: “more power to you!”

The point of this story is this: a generous heart will always have something to give – even just words of encouragement and cheer. The priest, in accompanying the dying man gave his time, his friendship and his presence.

Today’s gospel (Mark 12:38-44) is a lesson on generosity. It’s a true-to-life experience of Jesus. He saw a poor widow whom He made as model for generosity for she gave from her poverty.

The first lesson of the Readings is this: Generosity matters. God values a generous heart. Jesus saw many rich people give. But it was from their surplus, their extra. They shared from their abundance. They were just throwing away what they did not really need. It was mechanical act of giving.

Instead the widow showed her heart. Two copper coins. That’s what she gave. Very small. Almost nothing. Insignificant. Copper does not shine like silver or gold. If thrown to the treasury box, it does not make noise. Yet Jesus saw the sacrifice. She was giving from her need. Those two coins were her very life. She was giving her all; her everything. And God was quick to notice.

When we give even our little; if it comes from the heart and it comes with much sacrifice and tears, expect God to take notice and compensate. He will multiply your generosity because God loves a cheerful giver.

The second lesson is: Faith begets generosity. The 1^st Reading (1 Kgs 17:10-16) gives us a beautiful, concrete example. There was famine in the land of Israel. Prophet Elijah arrives in Zarephath and asks a favor from a widow: “Please give me water and bread.” The request might seem very simple. But in her context, it was not. It was hard and difficult because she was in a survival mode.

Water was scarce. Their rivers and wells were running dry. She was saving water. Perhaps they have not bathed for days. It might have been expensive to buy water. But she gave the prophet a cupful. She also gave him a little bread. In fact, she just had a handful of flour and a little oil in her jug. She was preparing her last meal – then fast for as long as the famine lasts.

But the prophet promised: God says “your flour and oil will not run dry.” And she believed. Imagine the miracle for one whole year! She was able to eat more than she expected – three meals and two snacks! She had unlimited supply of flour and oil from then on. She can’t explain it. It was just coming day after day.

Let’s not be afraid to be generous. Let us not be stingy with our help for God is a generous provider!

The third lesson is: Generosity is love in action. The two widows were generous because deep within their hearts they loved God. Both were able to make big sacrifices because of their great love. In the end, what really matters is not our sacrifice but our love. What makes us pleasing to God is the love that makes us endure, persevere and sacrifice.

If one has great love, one does not mind the hardship, the struggle or the sacrifice. Only those without love see the pain. They scream and complain because all is burden for one whose love is small.

Instead, the one who loves can even smile despite the pain. Love inspires them. They get love-struck. Love makes them invincible. They can go the distance. They can do everything. Love makes them generous.

Today let us ask God to grant us a big faith and a great love so that we can be generous. Our faith and love impels us to share unselfishly.