The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches explicitly: “The true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when he is raised high on the cross” (Catechism 440, quoting John 12:32 and Acts 2:36) and “Christ’s kingship is exercised in mercy and forgiveness, drawing all people to himself through his Passion and Resurrection” (cf. Catechism 541–556, 671).

Pope Pius XI, who instituted this solemnity in 1925 with the encyclical *Quas Primas*, insisted that Christ’s kingdom is spiritual yet universal, embracing every human person and every nation. He reigns not by force but by truth, justice, and above all love poured out on the Cross. The mockery of the crowd—“If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”—unwittingly proclaims the irony of the Gospel kingship: Jesus saves others precisely by refusing to save Himself.

St. Augustine of Hippo (Doctor of Grace) famously said of the good thief (traditionally named Dismas): “The thief on the cross was saved so that no one might despair; only one, so that no one might presume.” In his sermons, Augustine marvels that in a single moment this criminal:

and receives the promise of Paradise that very day.

St. John Chrysostom (Doctor of the Eucharist and eloquent preacher) declares: “It was a greater miracle to change the heart of a thief on the cross and lead him to Paradise than to split rocks.”  Chrysostom sees the conversion of the thief as proof that the Cross itself is the supreme revelation of divine power: greater than earthquakes or darkness, because it conquers sin in a human heart.

 

St. Thomas Aquinas, in his Catena Aurea (Golden Chain) commentary on Luke, collects the Fathers (Cyril of Alexandria, Ambrose, Augustine) to show that the good thief’s plea — “Jesus, remember me”—is the perfect act of hope and contrition. Thomas notes that Paradise, lost by Adam’s sin, is restored by Christ’s obedience on the wood of the Cross to a repentant sinner hanging on another cross beside Him.

 

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

Pope Benedict XVI, preaching on this same Gospel for Christ the King in 2007 and 2010, emphasized, “On the Cross Jesus is exalted to the very height of the God who is Love… It is there that He can be ‘known’… The good thief recognizes the crucified Jesus as innocent and as King. In his poverty he sees the riches of the Kingdom.”

Pope Francis, in his 2013 Christ the King homily closing the Year of Faith, said, “The thief who went astray in life but now repents, clings to the crucified Jesus and begs him: ‘Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus promises him. ‘Today you will be with me in paradise.’ God’s kingdom is already present in this world, though not yet in its fullness.”

 

In today’s Gospel, which is an excerpt from Jesus’ eschatological (end-times) discourse, Jesus predicts the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (verses 5-6), warns against false messiahs and signs of turmoil like wars, earthquakes, famines, and plagues (verses 7-11), and foretells persecution of His followers (verses 12-17). Amid these trials, Jesus promises divine wisdom for testimony (verse 15), protection (“not a hair on your head will be destroyed,” verse 18), and ultimate salvation through perseverance (verse 19). The passage blends historical events (like the Temple’s fall in AD 70) with broader end-time themes, calling for steadfast faith rather than fear.

 

Christ reigns from the Cross, not from a golden throne. His crown is thorns, His throne the wood of execution, His subjects the poor, the sinner, the dying. The good thief teaches us that no one is beyond the reach of this King’s mercy — provided we, like him, acknowledge our guilt, defend Christ’s innocence, and beg, “Lord, remember me.”

As Pope Pius XI wrote in Quas Primas (paragraph 19): “When 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.” 

 

The truth Pius XI proclaimed is the same one the Church still offers:

 

Christus Vincit! Christus Regnat! Christus Imperat!
(Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands!)

 

Quas Primas (Pope Pius XI) https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_11121925_quas-primas.html

 

St Augustine Confessions https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3296/3296-h/3296-h.htm

 

St. John Chrysostom Homily 85 https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/240185.htm

 

Catena Aurea https://www.ecatholic2000.com/catena/

 

Pope Benedict XVI Angelus 11-25-2007 https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20071125.html

 

Pope Benedict XVI Homily11-21-2010  https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20101121_anello-cardinalizio.html 

 

Pope Francis 11-24-2013 https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20131124_conclusione-annus-fidei.html

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church Online (free): https://www.usccb.org/committees/catechism

 

The Ignatius Study Bible, which can be found here (not free):

Read this week’s readings here.

 

In John 8:4-5, The Pharisees were setting a trap for Jesus.  “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.  Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”  If Jesus agreed with the Pharisees and said to stone her, he could be arrested because only the Romans were allowed to carry out capital punishments. If he said not to, the Pharisees could rebuke Him for dismissing the law of Moses.

Examine Yourself

St. Bede in his homilies of the Gospels asserts that when Jesus bends low to the ground in John 8:6, He is teaching us to examine ourselves in humility before speaking about anyone else. He then challenges the Pharisees right back, in John 8:7. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

 

The Pharisees and onlookers leave, one by one, until only Jesus and the woman are left.  Here Jesus offers her His forgiveness, and tells her to sin no more. In John 8:11, “She replied, ‘No one, sir.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.'”  He does not condone her actions, but He forgives her, and challenges her to take a new path of good.

 

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/12-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-prodigal-son
https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/faith/scripture-resources/commentaries/the-gospel-of-luke/luke-1511-32/

 

I use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

 

I also use the Ignatius Study Bible, which can be found here:

There is currently no online version.

Read this week’s readings here.

In those days, in Jewish society, when the father of the family died, the estate was divided into portions.  The eldest son received a double portion, and the younger sons, a single portion each. This family only had two sons.  So, when the younger son asked for his share of the estate, he received one third of his father’s net worth at the time, as opposed to the two thirds due to the elder son.  The younger son was essentially saying that he could not wait for the older son to die, so he could have his money. The father complied with this seemingly odd and rather insulting request.
  

The Grass is Not Always Greener

Repentance for sins is the important step toward conversion and holiness.  While While the parable only states “a distant land,”  all the lands surrounding and including Israel were controlled by the Roman Empire.  Roman pagan society permitted many things that Jewish society did not.  While prostitution was considered shameful by the Romans, it was legal, and human trafficking was often hand in hand with the practice.  The younger son went off into the pagan world and was seduced by what was available for him there.  There was a lot to experience as long as he had the money, but When the money ran out, he learned the humiliation that came with being lower class in Roman lands.

  

The older son’s upset and anger at the situation is understandable.  He was faithful to the father, and yet, this boy comes back and he is welcomed?  He feels slighted, and angry.  He is envious of the attention his brother is getting.  The lesson here is how envy and jealousy can turn a good and faithful person quickly down the wrong path.  These are intense feelings, that while they can happen to all of us, we must control them in order not to allow ourselves to turn down a dark path.  Without the father’s quick reassurance to the older son, the two sons could have easily become enemies.

  

In the father’s reassuring conversation to the older son, where he says “everything I have is yours,” in Luke 15:31, the father shows the true consequence of the younger son’s actions.  While the younger son’s return to faithfulness in Jewish society, and to his father specifically, is celebrated, there is still the reality that the younger son squandered his inheritance.  The father had no plans to divide the estate again.  The younger son will have to find his own way to earn a living without the assistance of the money that was spent.  This is teaching us that while God will forgive us our sins, the natural consequences of our actions are still a reality.  Sin often has financial and relationship consequences, which will need hard work to repair.

  

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/12-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-prodigal-son
https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/faith/scripture-resources/commentaries/the-gospel-of-luke/luke-1511-32/

 

I also use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

Read this week’s readings here.

This is the footnote of the NABRE Bible chapter 13, that describes the details of the comparisons Jesus makes in this chapter. “The slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate is unknown outside Luke; but from what is known about Pilate from the Jewish historian Josephus, such a slaughter would be in keeping with the character of Pilate. Josephus reports that Pilate had disrupted a religious gathering of the Samaritans on Mount Gerizim with a slaughter of the participants (Antiquities 18:86–87), and that on another occasion Pilate had killed many Jews who had opposed him when he appropriated money from the temple treasury to build an aqueduct in Jerusalem (Jewish War 2:175–77; Antiquities 18:60–62).”
  

Repentance is For Everyone

Repentance for sins is the important step toward conversion and holiness.  While God is patient with us, it is our own repentance of heart that He desires.  Jesus is saying here that while He has a lot of patience, the time will soon come where it ends.  We are not to compare the gravity of our sins – we only need to turn from them.  Make sure to check our bulletin, Website, or the signs in both church sites for the locations and times of reconciliation this Lent.

  

Figs were one of the seven species of produce of the land God would give Israel. (Deut 8:8)  They were not only historically and spiritually significant to the Jews, they were also a large source of both sustenance and profit for the people in Jesus’s time, as figs continue to be today.  Figs gave ther fruit twice per season.  The first harvest was eaten fresh, and the second was dried and preserved to last all winter.  Because of how essential they were, the fig became a symbol of prosperity and security to the people, making the parable easy to understand.

  

Jesus is comparing the growth of our souls to the growth of the fig tree.  As the workers cultivate the trees with selective, targeted pruning and fertilizing, we too must cultivate our souls.  Take time to read scripture every day.  We offer Adoration Monday through Friday at our 106th street site.  Lent is a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth, with opportunities for stations, reconciliation, and our three day Parish Mission on April 7 through the ninth.

The Transfiguration serves to unveil Jesus’ true identity to his inner circle of disciples – Peter, James, and John. His face changes, and his clothes become dazzling white, symbolizing his divine nature and prefiguring his glorified state after the resurrection. This moment confirms that Jesus is not just a prophet or teacher, but the Messiah, with a unique relationship to God.  In Luke 9:27, Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Many thought this was a prediction of the end times coming, but it was actually this event, the Transfiguration, that Jesus is referring to.
   

Confirmation of His Mission

The appearance of Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, underscores that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. They speak with him about his “departure” (Greek: exodos), which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem—his impending death, resurrection, and ascension. This ties his mission to the broader story of God’s redemption, echoing the Exodus liberation.  Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the prophets, as he was the greatest of them.  This event shows that Jesus is the Lord, and the fulfillment of the promises made in scripture.  In his book “These Twelve”, Rod Bennet writes:

“Moses learned (along with Elijah) that Jesus would soon lead an exodus from bondage at the Holy City, just as Moses himself once led the Israelites in an exodus from their servitude in Egypt. Not unnaturally, the eavesdropping apostles likely interpreted this news of an exodus solely in terms of literal liberation from the yoke of Rome. Moses knew, however—perhaps better than anyone—that Israel’s real troubles began after their release from pagan captivity.”

   

The Transfiguration occurs at a turning point in Luke, as Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), where he will face suffering and death. This awe-inspiring experience prepares the disciples for the challenges ahead, giving them a glimpse of the glory that lies beyond the cross, even though they struggle to fully grasp it at the time (e.g., Peter’s awkward suggestion to build tents).  The cloud envelops the three, causing them to be afraid.  The voice from the cloud declares, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35). This echoes Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:22) and directly affirms his authority to the disciples. It instructs them (and readers) to heed his teachings, especially as he heads toward the crucifixion.  There is awe, joy, and majesty wrapped up in this event, preparing Peter, James and John for the upcoming trials ahead.

   

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

  

I also use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

The temptation of Jesus in the desert happens when Jesus is alone.  Mark’s Gospel only includes a brief mention that it happened.  Matthew and Luke’s accounts are nearly identical, only the order of the temptations are flipped.  Jesus must have told the Apostles that the temptation happened and how Satan tried to persuade Jesus to leave his mission behind.  It important that Jesus experience this Himself as part of being true God and true Man.  Jesus shares His experience to show the Apostles that Satan will attack them and how to resist attempts by Satan to thwart their ministry.
  

The Reality of Satan

Modern thought is that Satan is metaphorical and represents our human failings.  This is FALSE.  Satan is real, and he is active throughout the Old and New Testaments.  Satan wants you to think he is not real.  John’s Gospel calls him the “liar and the father of lies” in John 8:44.  The biggest of these lies we fight every day is that Satan is not real.  We are called in our Baptism to “reject Satan, his works, and his empty promises.”  We often will notice Satan tempting us after a great moment or spiritual triumph in our lives.  It is important to notice that Jesus temptation is following His baptism by John and the affirmation by the Father that Jesus is the Son of God.  We need to be on our guard when great things come our way, that we are not tempted by Satan.

   

The first thing to do is to call it out.  The liar of Lies works in the shadows, so bring him to light.  Recognize you are being tempted; do not blame yourself for temptation happening.  Guilt and self-loathing are often Satan’s tools.  Pray a rosary, read some scripture, or listen to some spiritual music to bring yourself back to God.  Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  Scripture also tells us what to do with temptation.  In James 4:7, he says, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation. The First letter of John verse 9 says, “If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.”

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

https://media.ascensionpress.com/2020/03/13/the-reason-jesus-went-into-the-desert-a-lenten-commentary/
https://st-ignatius.net/blog/the-temptation-of-christ-luke-4-1-13
https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/temptation-of-christ
https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Temptations.htm
https://www.catholic.com/qa/does-the-catholic-church-believe-in-the-devil

 

I also use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

Read this week’s readings here.

The past few weeks in the Gospel have focused on Luke 6.  This chapter of Luke’s Gospel is a treasure of really great teaching for our lives.  The over-reaching theme of evaluating our selves and not others, and the radical idea of true mercy are all here, in one chapter.  Jesus is outlining for the disciples and us how to live in love and mercy.  If you get the chance, take the time to read the 6th chapter of Luke this week, and reflect on it.  

   

In Luke 6 verses 37-42, he warns us not to judge – but that does not mean we do not discern what is right for us.  It is just not our place to judge a soul.  This section of the reading gives us the phrase often paraphrased as “the blind leading the blind.”  Instead judging others, Jesus wants us to self-evaluate and improve our selves.  The sacrament of Reconciliation can be a very helpful tool for us removing the beams from our eyes.

  

When modern Americans imagine life in Jesus time, we imagine dry, dusty desert locations.  However, Much of the area around the Sea of Galilee was a fertile farmland, where Olive and Pomegranate trees would grow and bear fruit.  The fruit tree was a great analogy to use, as the orchards around the Sea of Galilee were a great source of sustanance and profit for the people.

  

In verses 43-45, Jesus gives us the best guidance on how to discern if something or someone is in the right place. “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,  nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.”  The brilliance of this cannot be understated.  Whether you are evaluating giving to a charity, joining a group, or any other kind of discernment, look at the fruits.  When we look at ourselves, we can evaluate whether we are doing well by the fruits of our labor. When we are right with God, we can do some great things!

  

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

 

I also use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.

 

The Golden Rule
 Read this week’s readings here.

Prior to this first reading, Saul was anointed by God, but as King he was disobedient to God’s commands. As a result, Saul could no longer hear God.  God, through the prophet Samuel, was preparing David to be King.  At this point, David had his own army in Judah.   David is refusing to kill Saul because he is anointed by God. David, in contrast to Saul, is obeying God and is refusing to kill an anointed King.  The LORD left the camp in a deep sleep, whereby David took Saul’s spear and water to show that he was there and he was obeying God.  Eventually, after this reading, Saul is killed by the Philistines and David becomes King.
  

Love Your Enemies

Jesus is getting deep into forgiveness and mercy in this teaching.  The Old Testament taught to love your neighbors, but Jesus is taking this even further – telling disciples to love your enemies.  This must have been a shocking teaching to the occupied Jews, who thought that the Romans living all around them as enemies in their midst.  Jesus is now telling the disciples to love a people who believe in everything they abhor.  We are called to do this today.  It is so much easier to consider those we disagree with as enemies instead of neighbors.  Jesus is calling us all to do this better.

  

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” in Luke 6:31 is called the Golden rule. God is calling the disciples, and us, to treat our fellow humanity with grace and mercy. There is also a command not to judge.  This commandment is not meant for us to skip discerning right and wrong; we are asked not to make the additional step of making a judgement of a person’s soul.  Every person has the opportunity for forgiveness and conversion.  It is not our place to judge souls – that is the domain of God alone.  The sacrament of Reconciliation is made in “persona Christi” – in the person of Christ.  It is always Christ who forgives us.

  

These links are articles I used for researching the Friday Update.

 

I also use the USCCB NAB Bible and its footnotes extensively.