Good King Wenceslaus

It's a little early to be singing the popular Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslaus, but his optional Memorial today provides a  response to the Gospel's burning question, "Who do you say that I am?" (Lk 18:20) and reveals that the political confrontations filling our ears these days, are not new. The "good king" was born in Prague in what is now the Czech Republic in 907, when strong anti-Catholic sentiment was developing; as the future king, he seemed doomed already if he held to the faith of his grandmother, St. Ludmilla, who was eventually killed for it. Yet, he boldly professed his acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, and was stabbed by his own jealous brother in September of 929, at the age of 22.  Stabbing another in the back, literally or figuratively, is not new.  Miracles began to occur soon after his death and sainthood followed for the young martyr.  The Carol was composed in England in the 19th Century, keeping alive the example of this young, loyal and good man.  When we attempt to answer the question, "Who do you say that I am?" with all the weight that carries today, we might start humming the Carol and find the inspiration we need to acknowledge Jesus as our Messiah, even if it entails ridicule or contempt.
Bro. Rene