Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
José Luis Sánchez del Río was born in 1913 and lived only 14 years. Yet his short life shines with extraordinary courage.
At that time, the Mexican government was persecuting the Catholic Church —seizing church property, closing schools and exiling or executing priests and religious. The goal was clear: to extinguish the faith.
But José Luis would not let that happen in his own heart.
He joined the Cristeros, a movement that stood for religious freedom in Mexico. When government troops captured him, they imprisoned and tortured him, trying to force him to renounce his faith in Christ.
Even as a young boy, he refused.
Instead, he clung to prayer — especially the rosary — which gave him strength.
His captors tried to break him. They made him witness the execution of another believer. They wounded his feet and forced him to walk in pain. Again and again, they told him, “If you shout, ‘Death to Christ the King,’ we will spare your life.”
He would not deny Jesus.
His final words before his martyrdom were simple and powerful:
“¡Viva Cristo Rey!” — “Long live Christ the King!”
Years later, on October 16, 2016, José Luis Sánchez del Río was canonized by Pope Francis, recognized as a saint who gave everything for Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul… Fear no one.”
Those words are not abstract. They are lived — beautifully and courageously — in the life of this young saint and many others like him.
We may not face persecution like José Luis did. But we are still called to stand firm in our faith:
• to speak the truth,
• to live what we believe,
• and to remain faithful even when it costs us something.
If we are ridiculed or misunderstood for our faith, so be it. The saints show us that faithfulness is always worth it.
Let us boldly proclaim: Jesus lives. He is King. And the truth he has given us is the truth that sets us free.
Then, as we acknowledge him before others, may he acknowledge us before our Heavenly Father.
And today, we also give thanks for our fathers — biological, adoptive and spiritual. May God bless them for reflecting his love and care in our lives.
Have a blessed week everyone.