Tuesday, November 23, 2010

kingdom against Kingdom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_slaveshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_slavesToday's Gospel sure matches the headlines about the two Koreas. But it is also profoundly fitting for one of the holy men whose feast day is today. (Make that for all three of them.)
St. Clement, one of the first Popes, may have been a slave* in the Imperial household back at the end of the 1st century. He moved (in secret, no doubt) from Caesar's household to the kingdom of Christ, and died a martyr of that supernatural Kingdom. St. Columba, the indefatigable founder of monasteries (in the process preserving Western Civilization?) planted miniature versions of the Kingdom across the British Isles and into France and Italy. And Blessed Miguel Pro? Facing a firing squad in his native Mexico (not even a century ago), his last words were "Viva Cristo Rey!" (Long Live Christ the King!)
Jesus' words still hold true: "Seek first God's Kingdom and righteousness, and all other things will be given you in addition."

*See the list of slaves known to us by name; there are two Popes in the "C" list.

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