Tag: Martyrs

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 7:31-35)

Jesus said to the crowds: “For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

In today’s Gospel, after Jesus had raised a young man back to life, Jesus talks to the crowd about John the Baptist. What the people see in the way that both Jesus and John live fails to fulfill what they believe about prophets or the Messiah. Jesus compares the generation of people he lives among to children who fail to recognize the way of life of either: “We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.” John the Baptist’s lifestyle differed from that of Jesus, who lived among others, drinking and socializing with various people, including tax collectors and sinners. Referring both to John and himself, Jesus says to the crowd: “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” How do people of today’s generation respond to God’s messengers?

Father in heaven, help me recognize you in my life and within the events that unfold in this present generation. Help me hear and respond to you. In hearing and responding to you, give me the courage to give witness to my faith. As the Korean martyrs bore witness to the crucified and risen Christ, give me the grace to do the same, even in the face of persecution and sacrifice. As Saint John Paul II said during the Mass for the canonization of the Korean martyrs: “Through the sacrifice of their own lives they have become like Christ in a very special way.” Strengthen me, Lord, to cling to Christ your Son.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, you have the words of everlasting life.” Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, martyrs, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel reading says that Mary and Jesus’ brothers—from Greek, adelphoi, or member of the same religious community—could not join him because of the crowd. Jesus was told that by someone who remains unknown. Did that person believe that Jesus’ mother and brothers had privileged access to him, despite the crowd? By his reply, in no way does Jesus diminish the role of his mother or brothers by saying those who hear the word of God and act on it are his mother and brothers. Are there times when I believe I have privileged access to Jesus, even without hearing and doing his will?

Thank you, God, for the clarity of your Son’s statement. Hear your word and act on it. Hear and act. Without the burden of guilt and shame, I desire to hear and do your will throughout the day. If I were to act only out of guilt or out of shame in recovering from a misstep, I can’t say that is desire to be in your presence. I sometimes believe I am better at identifying what your will is not than what it is. Help me understand how to avoid turning in the wrong direction so that I can keep you in my line of sight and recognize what is your will.

Just as Mary and Jesus’ brothers desired to join him, I also desire to put myself in your presence. Let nothing impede that today; let me hear and act. Stay with me, Lord, and let me know your outlandish love for me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

The women in today’s Gospel reading, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susana, and many others provided for Jesus and the apostles out of their own resources. If there is reason for them to follow Jesus other than their faith in him, the example of Mary Magdalene explains the gratitude she has for Jesus in expelling seven demons from her. As a group of women supporting Jesus, his apostles, and his mission, they almost certainly drew on immaterial resources to nurture and solidify each other’s faith in him. Unlike them, who followed Jesus during his time on earth, we have the hope of the resurrection through Jesus, as Saint Paul says, “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In my own experience, who are the people around me that nurture my faith even as I identify myself as a follower of Jesus through His “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”? Who encourages me to question my faith in a way that strengthens it when challenged by questions such as the one Saint Paul asks? “And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith.”

Help me see and understand, Lord, what it means to provide for the Church out of my own resources. I know this means providing more than financial or material resources. In my own family, guide my words and actions to support you in “preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.” Give me the grace to show gratitude in the areas of my life where you have been present and have forgiven my sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and over the years have bestowed countless blessings, some of which I will never come to comprehend in this life.

Contained in the Stations of the Cross is a prayer that is attributed to Saint Francis whenever he caught sight of a Catholic church in the distance: “We adore you O Christ and we praise you because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!” Keep me, Lord, from believing what is most pitiable, that my faith is vain. Stay with me today, risen Lord, and grant me the grace to boldly proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings