Memorial of Saints (October 30)

St. Marcellus was a centurion in the court of Emperor Maximian. On the birthday feast of the Emperor, Marcellus refused to participate in the rituals for the gods; he also declared publicly his Christian faith. The Prefect of the legion had him arrested and imprisoned. Marcellus was condemned to death for desertion and irreverence. He was executed and beheaded (died ca. third century A.D.).

Bl. Benvenuta of Cividale was a Dominican tertiary. Drawn to the contemplative life, she however went to excess with her ascetical practices. Her confessor ordered her to lessen and moderate her austerities, and not to start any new ascetical practice without his permission. Most of the time she was confined to bed because of her asthmatic condition. She was suddenly miraculously cured on March 25, feast of the Annunciation (died ca. 1292 A.D.).

St. Serapion of Antioch was well-known for his wisdom and learning. He became bishop of Antioch in 190 A.D. As bishop, he opposed the heresies in his diocese - that of Montanism and Docetism. He also did not allow the reading of the apocryphal gospel of Peter in the Church of Rhossos (died ca. 211 A.D.).

St. Asterius was educated by someone schooled in Antioch. Asterius was good at rhetoric and because of his education was ordained. Eventually, he was appointed bishop of Amasea. St. Asterius became an outstanding preacher, with some twenty-one of his homilies still existing to this day (died ca. 410 A.D.).

St. Germanus became bishop of Capua in southern Italy. In 519 A.D., Pope St. Hormisdas asked Germanus to be part of a delegation that was sent to Emperor Justin. The mission of this delegation was to negotiate with Emperor Justin so that the Acacian schism may be finally resolved and ended. This mission in which St. Germanus was part of was successful (died ca. 540 A.D.).

St. Ethelnoth was dean of the cathedral church at Canterbury when he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1020 A.D. Noted for his goodness, his holiness and learning was instrumental for King Canute's liberal contribution to the rebuilding of the cathedral of Chartres (died ca. 1038 A.D.).

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez studied under the Jesuits in Alcala, Spain. On the death of his father, he returned home to oversee the family business. He got married and sired a son. When his wife and son passed away (within a span of a few years), he joined the Jesuits at about 50 years of age. Rejected at first for lack of schooling, he was then admitted as a lay brother by a special ruling of the provincial. He then served as the hall porter at Montesion College on Majorca for 24 years. St. Alphonsus was soon known for his holiness, simplicity, obeidience and devotion to Mary (died ca. 1617 A.D.).

30th Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

October 26, 2014
Liturgical readings
Exodus 22:20-25
Psalm 18
1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Matthew 22:34-40

"The second is like the first: love your neighbor as yourself."

What Christ presented to His people is not totally different from what they had always known. His Jewish audience knew well all their religious laws. But the legalities of their faith were so numerous that Jewish people found it difficult to obey them in entirety. So Christ simplifies it for them - lessening the burden which the Law places upon each Jewish man's shoulder. With just two commandments, Christ summed up the spirit of the Law and all the teachings of the prophets. The two commandments from which He concisely expressed all the legal stipulations of their Jewish faith are stated in His command: "Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself."

These two commandments written in the gospel of Matthew resound throughout all the centuries of the Christian faith. How did the faithful in history respond to these two commandments of the Lord? Fast-forward to the 17th to the 18th century in France, to a bishop in Geneva named St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis de Sales expressed this counsel for all Catholics of all walks of life. Because of what he wrote, he is fondly called the "Doctor of the love of God and neighbor". In his book, "Introduction to the Devout Life", loving God means a strong resolve to follow His commandments, counsels, and inspirations. The first step to love is to purge oneself from sin. Then counsels the practice of prayer and reception of the Sacraments. One has to resist also all temptations to sin. Following the counsel of St. Francis de Sales will put to right your relationship with God, with others and yourself.

The Christian message of love up to the present time has remained the same. Whether the commandment to love is expressed in contemplative life, an active life, or both, God remains the absolute source and end of that love. If He is not the source of love, then love may be misguided or tainted with sin. That is why God gives all the means to His love in order that the faithful may follow the twofold counsel of His Son Jesus. Prayer opens one's being to His love, while the Sacraments make each soul ready to receive it. Both means strengthen one's resolve to do good and to practice virtue. It may not be always easy to follow the commandment of the Lord. That is why all the faithful are called to source their energy and efforts not from their own strengths and intelligence alone, but from the Christ Himself present in the Sacraments.

Scripture quote:
"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him." (Exodus 22)