Feast of Christ the King Homily, the Compendium, and a Papal Encyclical

Today, during his homily, Monsignor Romero referenced the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Compendium is a wonderful reference to Catholic teaching that, in turn, references back into the more detailed Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both books are wonderful reference texts to have.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

And the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available by clicking here for the Vatican website.

During the homily, Monsignor Romero referenced first paragraph 521 and then paragraph 522 in the Compendium from the section on the Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

521. What is one’s duty toward the truth?

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Every person is called to sincerity and truthfulness in acting and speaking. Everyone has the duty to seek the truth, to adhere to it and to order one’s whole life in accordance with its demands. In Jesus Christ the whole of God’s truth has been made manifest. He is “the truth”. Those who follow him live in the Spirit of truth and guard against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.

522. How does one bear witness to the truth?

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A Christian must bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in every field of his activity, both public and private, and also if necessary, with the sacrifice of his very life. Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith.

Monsignor Romero also quoted from the papal encyclical Quas Primas, "In the first ...", written by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and distributed on the Feast of Christ the King that year. This encyclical was given at a difficult time in the history of the world. Things were changing that set the stage for the impending Second World War. Pope Pius XI calls to all men, from the most humble to those who rule nations, to recognize Jesus as our King and Savior and calls all to look to the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ.

Click here to read the entire encyclical in English on the Vatican's website.