It so happens that in our time it is stormy weather for the Faith, but, as the Crown of Thorns reminds us, the followers of Christ cannot be fair weather friends.  Indeed, conflict is built into the Christian life itself.  So at our Baptism, when we were made members of his Kingdom, we were signed with the sign of the Cross as a token that we should not be ashamed to confess the Faith of Christ Crucified, but “Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ…”. (1)

However, we do not fight for the Faith without the Divine assistance.  As Holy Scripture says, “Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will war on your side” (Jerusalem Bible, Ecclesiasticus 4:28).