September 28 2020 - Good King Wenceslaus - Setting holy example despite resistance

Today we celebrate the feast of Good King Wenceslaus, the very same King Wenceslaus about whom the Christmas Carol is written: “Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen” and so on. The Christmas carol tells the story of the King and his page on a journey as they brave the harsh winter weather, when they observe a poor man collecting wood. Wenceslaus asks his page to find out where the poor man lives and to gather meat, drink, and firewood so that they can bring it to the poor man's home. Although there is no mention of Christmas in this traditional Christmas carol, its message of kindness and generosity to the less fortunate certainly embodies the Christmas spirit and the virtues of this good king who lived in the beginning of the 8th century.

Wenceslaus was the son of the Christian Duke of Bohemia whose own father had been converted to Christianity by Saints Cyril and Methodius. So, Christianity did not yet have deep roots in his country. His mother in fact, was a pagan and a very cruel woman, hostile to the new faith. 

So Wenceslaus was educated in the true faith by his holy grandmother, and from a young age developed a very strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Never underestimate the importance of holy grandmothers!

When his father died, Wenceslaus was still a minor, so his mother assumed the government, and she passed a series of anti-Christian laws, persecuting Christianity.  In the interest of the faith, and at the encouragement of his grandmother, Wenceslaus claimed and obtained the support of a large portion of his countrymen, and had his mother exiled.  

His mother allied herself with another son, Boteslaus, a Pagan, and plotted to one day kill Wenceslaus. 

But under the good Christian King, the faith began to flourish, especially due to the good king’s example. On the feasts of the dedication of the churches in various cities, the king would visit those cities to attend mass and give alms to the poor.

Well, one Sunday, on the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Wenceslaus entered a city sill loyal to his brother Botelsaus.  And after hearing Mass, Boteslaus struck Wenceslaus with a sword, while two of his counselors stabbed Wenceslaus to death, murdering him at the entrance to the church.

In the Gospel for this feast, we hear of the Lord’s own prophecy of how He will be a source of division even in families. This was certainly true in the family of today’s Saint. He sought to unify his countrymen under the banner of the Christian faith. And even though he knew that some conspired against him, that did not keep him from deep faith: deep devotion to the Eucharist and commitment to the works of mercy. Emboldened by his example and assisted by his heavenly intercession, May we do the same, 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.