The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ  King of the Universe
 
                                                            Is Christ the King of our Lives?
 
The inscription above him reads “This is the King of the Jews.” We see a man nailed to the cross, sandwiched between two thieves similarly nailed to the cross, one seeking his mercy, the other one mocking his kingship. The soldiers jeer at him, questioning his kingship. This distasteful sight on the cross, the crucified Christ, is indeed our king and we are called to be his subjects by choice. Is he truly a king? Are we his subjects? Can such an unattractive person on the cross of shame be one we want to submit our wills to? Jesus is indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). He is the offspring of David whose lineage God promised would one day produce the Messiah who will rule over God's everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7: 12-16).
 
Jesus is truly the king whom we pray in the Lord's prayer for his Kingdom to come. His kingship and kingdom are not to be likened in any way in form or spirit to those of the world. He is a king in the spirit of a shepherd who seeks to lay down his life to serve and save. He saves us by his sacrifice, sufferings and shame on the cross of Calvary. One of the thieves crucified along with Jesus came to this realization and pleaded with Jesus to remember him in his kingdom and he was graciously rewarded with a swift change to his eternal status: “Amen , I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Do we realize that saving grace comes from the suffering king on the cross? Is Crucified Christ the king of our lives?
 
When Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 he intended that we recognize the universal Lordship of Jesus Christ via the way of the Cross and submit ourselves to his dominion. We are to surrender our independence to this shepherd-king because his kingship is devoted to saving us in the way we could not save ourselves. Like the repentant thief crucified with Jesus, let us surrender our will, mind, soul and body to Jesus' dominion; seeking to do his will and serve his kingdom. Let us pray the lyrics of that beautiful song to the King of the Universe: “Shepherd of my soul, I give you full control.”
 
Is Christ the king of your life? In what ways?
Happy Thanksgiving Day! 
 
In the service of the Crucified King,
Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
 

 
Dear Friends in Christ,

Persecution, Perseverance, and Parousia

Basic Christian living is marked by three inter-related expectations: persecution, perseverance and Parousia. These three realities are necessary consequences of confession and practice of faith that if they were to be missing from the life of a Christian, a reevaluation of commitment to faith would be required.
Persecution by the world on account of our adherence to Christian moral teachings should be expected because of their counter cultural and radical nature. As Christ was rejected on account of his teachings, so shall his followers be rejected on grounds of espousing ecclesiastical teachings that are contrary to popular practices. Think of contrary Catholic moral stance on some culturally permissive acts of our postmodern world: anti-abortion, anti-same-sex marriage (the archdiocese of Indianapolis was recently sued for defending this Christian moral position in a Catholic school), anti-contraceptives, anti-euthanasia, anti-death penalty, etc. We are criticized for holding these positions, and it should be expected; didn’t Christ tell us in Lk 21 to expect persecution on account of his name. “If they persecute me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20).
Perseverance describes our response to waves of persecution we face for standing for revealed and eternal truth. We are not daunted by the uphill task of living out our Christian life in the spirit of love despite the rejection and mockery of the secular world. Faithfulness to Christ and focus on heaven remain sources of hope and courage for us to persist. “By your endurance you will gain your life” (Lk 21:19). The Christian persevere in professing and living “unpopular” Christian teachings because they are mandated by Christ to do so, and it is by conforming to the truth that they are set free for eternal life.
Parousia is derived from a Greek word that means “coming”, that is, Christ’s second coming which will mark the end of the present age. These futuristic event is often conveyed in the eschatological discourses of synoptic Gospels and other New Testament books, through the deployment of prophetic and apocalyptic images. We bear witness to Christ courageously when we endure persecution with Parousia in mind. Christ helps us in our trials, that by persevering in truth to the end, we await an eternal reward in paradise. We live in a time of waiting and watching, expecting the glorious advent of Christ. “That is why Christians pray, above all in the Eucharist, to hasten Christ’s return by saying to him: Marana tha! ’Our Lord, come’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 671-672).
Can you please find time this week to meditate on the Nicene Creed?

Yours in Crucified Christ,
Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
 

 
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Congratulations to our new Parish Council Members!
 
The work of pastoring St Peter's parish is not dependent solely on her pastor; it is supported by many devoted parishioners, many who work behind the scenes. The parish pastoral council members will work behind the scenes as well as beyond. These men and women who reflect the parish's diversity will support me through their advise on various plans to grow the parish in all necessary and needed areas. They will serve as liaisons between different parish societies and the pastor, channeling your dreams and concerns to me. I am truly thankful for the generosity of these amazing Catholic men and women and pray that our work together in the years ahead to make Jesus the center of our parish life would be a fruitful one. Please join me in thanking and praying for these courageous and gracious sons and daughters of St. Peter Catholic Church:
 
                                                              Rachel Clark               Joseph Barone
                                                             George Kohlweiler      Anita Paynter
                                                              Erynne Lehman         Kevin Dolan
                                                              Tim Malcolm              Lisa Cleveland
                                                              Dolores Reidenbach Michael Rider
                                                              David Salley              Beth Vertucci
 
 
I want to extend my thanks to all the candidates who stepped forward to serve on the parish pastoral council. All the candidates are worthy, even if all are not elected or appointed. It is my hope that those who are not part of the Parish Pastoral Council will still be opened to serving our parish in other areas of need when called upon. Thank you to all of you, may God enrich you with more graces as you strive to follow in His way.
 
In Christ our Help,
 
Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP