Podcast Summary: Petersboat – "The Monday After | From One Happy Thief to Another on the Feast of Christ the King"

Host: R. Ketcham
Date: November 25, 2025

Overview

In this reflective episode, Fr. R. Ketcham shares meditations on the Feast of Christ the King, its origins, and its deep spiritual meaning. Drawing from Catholic tradition, scripture, and parish life, he contemplates the nature of sin, redemption, and what it means for Christ to reign “not of this world” within our hearts. Using vivid anecdotes, humor, and theological insight, Fr. Ketcham explores how true peace comes only from the cross of Christ, not human systems—and invites listeners to see themselves as both the "happy thief" and peacemakers in a fallen world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality of Sin and the Limits of Human Solutions

• Fr. Ketcham opens with a humorous confession about the lure of atheism:

  "I was an atheist six times before I got out of bed this morning." [00:01]

• He distinguishes mere atheism from the deeper danger he sees in denying sin:

  "The worst thing about those fascist and communist leaders is... not that they didn't believe in God... but that they didn't believe in sin." [00:36]

• Attempts to solve human problems without recognizing original sin or evil, he argues, result in oppression and failed efforts at peace:

  "You can't meditate away sin. It's a spiritual wound... It needs a savior, not just another ruler of this world." [02:07]

2. The History and Purpose of the Feast of Christ the King

• The episode marks the Feast’s 100th anniversary (est. by Pope Pius XI in 1925), highlighting its ongoing relevance.
• Fr. Ketcham shares a fascinating local Catholic history:

  "The first newly established parish after the new Diocese of Rockville Centre... was Christ the King. Really cool." [03:22]

• He notes that Pope Pius XII supported the devotion, especially significant in places like New York, a "capital of capitalism." [05:02]
• The feast is a message to all nations and rulers: Christ’s kingship is meant to transform hearts, making us "good leaders of men in the world." [05:59]

3. The Crucified King: From Mockery to True Reign

• Fr. Ketcham revisits the Gospel reading, focusing on Christ being mocked as "king" while crucified, yet truly reigning from the cross:

  "They even put the crown of thorns on him. Some king you are, they're saying to him." [06:30] "He even says to the criminal hanging next to him... 'This day, you'll be with me in paradise.'" [08:01]

• He emphasizes that "paradise" is not man-made but a gift—the peace of being with God and doing His will, as in Eden before the fall.
• The attempt to seize peace or joy as if by force ("manhandling the world") fails; these fruits are "given by God when we give ourselves freely to him." [10:08]

4. The Scandal and Foolishness of the Cross

• The episode retells early Roman ridicule of Christians via graffiti:

  "A man's body, a donkey's head on a cross... saying to the Christians, you are fools because you worship an ass." [13:09]

• Fr. Ketcham applies this to modern followers:

  "To follow Christ is to follow Christ crucified. It will not be easy... we might get mocked for it... thought foolish as Christ was." [13:49]

• He explains how some resist the Christian message because it exposes their conscience to sin:

  "They're not going to want to look at the sin, so they're not going to want to look at us." [14:52]

5. Christ Reigning in the Heart: The Battle Within

• The transformation Christ brings is described as casting out the reign of sin and evil:

  "When Christ reigns in our heart, sin no longer reigns in our heart." [16:05]

• Illustrates how swapping one "demon" (addiction) for another doesn't deliver peace; only God truly frees:

  "Driving one demon out with another demon is just going to make it worse." [16:54]

• References Jesus and Mary as the "new Adam and new Eve," living in perfect alignment with God's will, which brings a sense of being "in paradise." [18:16]

6. The Baptismal Mystery and Sacrificial Love

• Describes baptism as receiving "the water, the Spirit of his Son... poured right into our heart alongside of our 'I.'" [20:49]
• The soul, balancing mind (self-preservation) and heart (sacrificial love), must let the latter guide:

  "I have a hard time sacrificing myself because I have to die to myself... But you have to do this because we have to love." [22:13]

• This "new wine" (Christ’s self-giving love) requires a change of mind—a "metanoia":

  "There is a new wine here, a new law at work... a new way of thinking." [23:42]

7. Eucharist: Remembrance and Communion

• The plea of the good thief—"Jesus, remember me"—echoes Jesus’ command at the Last Supper:

  "Do this in memory of me... remain in me that I might remain in you." [25:00]

• The Eucharist is celebrated as ongoing participation in Christ's sacrifice:

  "We become strong. And what is it we're bringing into the world... to live like Christ did as a prince of peace in this world, so as to be crowned with glory in the world to come." [26:17]

8. Humility, Service, and the Procession of Faith

• Fr. Ketcham reflects on Eucharistic processions as symbolizing Christ’s humility and kingship:

  "We could look at Jesus and His humility, reigning even now in the Eucharist as He pours Himself out for us in love." [27:31]

• The apparent foolishness of worshipping Christ in the Eucharist mirrors the scandal of the cross.

9. The Nature of True Peace and the Growth of the Kingdom

• In a fallen world, we need laws to restrain evil—but true peace is "begotten, not made":

  "Peace is begotten, not made. Man is constantly trying to fabricate it... he cannot, because peace is from God." [29:32]

• The kingdom grows "from one heart to the next, from one heart to the other," not by force:

  "Don't let anyone ever tell you that we were forcefully baptized by an institution. You were brought to the font by loved ones who wanted for you what was given to them." [31:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sin and Human Nature:

  "You can't meditate away sin. It's a spiritual wound... It needs a Savior, not just another ruler of this world." (A, 02:07)

• On the Mockery of Christ:

  "A man's body, a donkey's head on a cross... you are fools because you worship an ass." (A, 13:09)

• On Peace:

  "Peace is begotten, not made. Man is constantly trying to fabricate it... he cannot, because peace is from God." (A, 29:32)

• On How the Kingdom Grows:

  "The kingdom of heaven... is reigning in the hearts of those who are open to reconciliation with God and one another. In the forgiving, peacemaking heart, you find the child of God." (A, 30:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening humor about atheism & the nature of sin – [00:01]
• Origins & meaning of the Feast of Christ the King – [02:57]
• Gospel reflection: Christ’s Kingship from the cross – [06:10 to 11:34]
• The cross as scandal: ancient Roman graffiti & modern ridicule – [13:09]
• Inner transformation & casting out sin – [16:05 to 18:16]
• Baptism and the struggle to love sacrificially – [20:49 to 23:42]
• Eucharist and remembrance – [25:00]
• Eucharistic procession: Christ reigning in humility – [27:31]
• True peace and how the kingdom spreads – [29:32 to 31:06]

Tone & Language

Fr. Ketcham’s tone is warm, candid, occasionally humorous, and deeply pastoral. He uses vivid analogies and relatable language, making challenging theological concepts accessible and compelling.

Summary

This episode offers a rich meditation on the kingship of Christ, not as worldly power, but as humble, self-giving love that conquers sin and brings true peace—begotten, not made. Through scriptural reflection, church history, and personal insight, Fr. Ketcham calls listeners to allow Christ to reign in their hearts and to spread the kingdom through forgiving, peacemaking love. The episode concludes with a reminder that faith is received as a gift passed on in love, not by compulsion.