Jesus on the cross is mocked by his persecutors in this Sunday’s gospel, yet one criminal pleads, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Those who voted for the current Democratic Congress are hoping their representatives remember them as they enter into a lame-duck session. . . .

God makes us “fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones,” and in Christ “all things hold together,” this Sunday’s reading from the Letter to the Colossians informs us. In Europe, it is the European Central Bank that is being commissioned to hold things together . . .

There was little doubt in the elders' choice of David to succeed Saul in today’s Old Testament reading. The same cannot be said of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops election of Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York to succeed outgoing president Cardinal Francis George. . . .

On this Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King, questions about Jesus’ reign are central to the gospel. Questions about the reign of Britain’s royal family are highlighted this week as well now that Buckingham Palace has announced the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, . . .

“There may be lessons for American Muslims in the experience of the Catholic community and its ultimate success in breaking down barriers and entering the mainstream of American political life.”

According to a new Gallup Poll, Christians are more likely than non-Christians to oppose construction of the Park51 Islamic center in lower Manhattan at its presently proposed location. Three of out five Roman Catholics and half of all Protestants think the center should be built farther from the Ground Zero site.