THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN
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December 6, 2009 The Good News... ...Saint Andrew Dung-Lac Homily,
Feast of My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Each year I come to your parish for a celebration in honor of your patron, Saint Andrew Dung-Lac. His feast day is actually on Nov. 24, but we usually observe it on the weekend before or after the 24th. This year’s celebration, therefore, coincides with the great feast of Christ the King. While the Church only designated a specific date for the feast of Christ the King in the last century, the fact of Christ’s Kingship has never been doubted. The Old Testament frequently spoke of the coming Messiah ushering in a new kingdom. Jesus Himself promised His faithful followers a place in His kingdom. At His condemnation to death, Pilate placed a written sign on the Cross which read: “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” The early Church constantly referred to Jesus as the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and Savior of all. It is this Jesus Christ the King whom Saint Andrew Dung-Lac recognized as the eternal Son of God and the Lord of all. Saint Andrew became a priest because he heard the call of Christ the King. As a priest, he shared in the ministry and mission of Jesus. Saint Andrew Dung-Lac constantly spoke of the Kingdom of God and instructed people in the beliefs and teachings of our Catholic faith. Then, when challenged because of his teaching and ministry as a priest, he remained faithful. Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions did not fear death. Rather, they endured great suffering and torture and were killed for their faith. They said and they believed there was a better life waiting for them after death. They knew that they would receive an everlasting life in the kingdom of God which is heaven. In 1988 Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions whose loyalty to Christ the King had been established. Like Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, our patron of this parish, you and I are totally dependent upon Christ the King. He and He alone is Lord and Savior. There is no other who can bring us into the Kingdom of God. Only Jesus, the Christ, Who is the Son of God and King of Kings can give us eternal life. This is God’s plan for us. Yes, God so loves the world that He sent His Son Jesus to save us. Jesus came and revealed that He is the Christ, the eternal Son of God, the King of Kings! Since the Kingdom of God is our final destiny, the Church completes the liturgical year with this feast of Christ the King which we observe tonight. Like Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, you and I are called to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Therefore, we must continue to learn more and more about our Catholic faith. We must recognize the sacraments as special gifts from God and therefore celebrate them with faith and devotion. We are specially reminded to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist regularly. Young people who are planning to be married must make proper preparations through prayer and study. Those who are already married must work hard to maintain a happy and stable relationship. Marriage is a sacrament. It is sacred. Parents should arrange for the baptism of their babies and for first reconciliation and first Holy Communion for their little children. Children must be taught how good and gracious God is and how we must keep in touch with Him through prayer and devotion. How fortunate we all are to have the example of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions to help us on our pilgrimage of faith. He leads us to the new and better life that God offers us in the kingdom of heaven. May our celebration of the feast of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and the feast of Christ the King help us all to become good and holy and faithful and happy people now on this earth and someday in heaven. Amen. |