Sept 28 2018 - St. Wenceslaus, martyr - Holding Fast to Christ with all your heart

A hundred years before the birth of Christ, hope in the immanent coming of God’s Messiah was renewed in Israel. The Jews longed for the Messiah to restore Israel, to overthrow their enemies, and bring about an era of peace and righteousness. And yet, among the hundreds and thousands of people Jesus taught, healed, and challenged, it was Simon, the fisherman who confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. Many thought he was a prophet, yes, but the crowds failed to make the leap of faith, to believe that he was the Christ they longed for.

“Why do you say that I am?” is a question Jesus asks each of us every day. It is a question we cannot ignore because our eternal salvation depends on how we respond. Likely, our answer will be at odds with the crowds of the world. The crowds who say he’s simply a pious teacher, a philosopher whose insights can be incorporated into one’s own world view selectively. There are many modern crowds who claim Jesus was a story teller, a mythical figure who really shouldn’t be taken too seriously. There comes a point where the Christian must separate himself from popular opinion and answer with Peter’s confession.

Today’s saint, St. Wenceslaus King of Bohemia also made a choice, one that made him very unpopular with the crowds, and even his own family. Wenceslaus lived his faith in a time of great political upheaval.  He sought to unify his countrymen under the banner of the Christian faith. And even though he knew that many conspired against him, he ruled humbly and fairly, with a clear vision of  rule of what a Christian leader should be.

King Wenceslaus attended Mass every day. He ground the wheat and crushed the grapes for the bread and wine used at Mass.  He also provided food for the poor, bringing them provisions by night so they would be spared any public shame because of their poverty. 

One day after Mass, on the feast of Cosmas and Damian, He was assassinated by his brother, who had allied himself with the anti-Christian factions.

Wenceslaus likely could have avoided martyrdom by giving in to the military might of the anti-Christian factions, but as the collect this morning said, he placed the heavenly kingdom before the earthly one, he showed with his life that following Christ is not just giving lip-service to God, he held fast to Christ. Who do you say that I am? Will you serve Christ, or serve yourself? Will your trust in the ways of the Lord or the ways of the world?

Through the example and intercession of St. Wenceslaus and all the martyrs, may we hold fast to Christ with all our hearts, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That religious indifference in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.

For the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.