Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Agatha, V.M., (05th February, 2019) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
(Tuesday of the Fourth Week in
Ordinary Time (I))
Heb 12:1-4;
Ps 21:26-28.30-32. (R. cf. v.27);
Mk 5:21-43.
Saint Agatha (231 AD – c. 251 AD) was born at Catania
or Palermo, Sicily. She dedicated her life to God at a tender age and resisted
men who either wanted to marry her or to have sex with her. Quintian thinking
he could bend her had her arrested and brought before the judge. She suffered assault
and humiliation for one month in a brothel and later to prison. Agatha was tortured
in various ways and refused medical care. She died in the hands of torturers[1].
Saint Agatha is the patron saint of Catania, Molise,
Malta, San Marino and Zamarramala. She is also the patron saint of breast
cancer patients, martyrs, wet nurses, bell-founders, bakers, fire, earthquakes,
and eruptions of Mount Etna[2].
Topic: Neither too bad nor late.
Jesus
was by the sea with the people who gathered around him when
...
one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and... fell at his feet
and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come
and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live’ (Mk 5:22-23).
On
His way, a woman who had suffered from haemorrhages for twelve years, who had
endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and was not
better, but rather grew worse touched His clothes with faith and was healed
instantly. When He reached Jairus house, He also raised his little daughter to
life.
Jairus
and this woman seemed to have realised that “... vain is the help of man” (Ps 60:11; cf. Ps 108:12). The question is ‘Where do you run to when the situation
is really critical?’ Christ
Himself is telling us: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). We
ought to hope for all our needs from God, cf. Matt 6:11; Lk 11:3; Ps 104:27. No situation is either too bad or late for Jesus. Saint Agatha realised that “those
who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides
forever” (Ps 125:1). Hence, she
never wavered even before her torturers. The prophet rightly proclaimed: “Blessed
are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD” (Jer 17:7).
Bible Reading: Heb 11:1-40; Ps Ps 125; Ps 126.
Thought for today: When the situation looks really bad where do you turn to?
Let us pray: Lord, give us strong faith that will enable us stand
firm no matter how bad the situation is – Amen.
Saint Agatha – Pray for us.
You are free
to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
For more homilies (reflections):
Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810
298 6313
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
May God bless you all+
Post a Comment
Post a Comment