Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Cornelius, Pp, and Saint Cyprian, B, Mm., (16th September,
2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in
Ordinary Time (I))
1Tim 1:15-17;
Ps 112:1-7. (R. v.2);
Lk 6:43-49.
Pope Saint Cornelius (251-253) battled among other
problems reconciling apostates and schism. Contrary to those who said that they
should not be forgiven and those with the opinion that they should be forgiven
but without heavy penance, Cornelius decreed that they must be welcomed back
and insisted that they perform adequate penance. He was exiled to Civitavecchia
where he died a martyr probably of hardships.
Saint Cyprian of Carthage was born to wealthy pagans
around the year 190. He was converted at the age of 56, ordained a priest a
year later, and made bishop two years after. Cyprian was a close friend of Pope
Cornelius. He supported him both against the anti-pope Novatian and in his
views concerning the re-admittance of apostates into the Church. He was martyred
during the persecutions of Emperor Valerian on September 14, 258.[1]
Topic: A must do.
Tree determines the fruit. What comes out of one’s mouth defines
the person. Jesus questions, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do
what I tell you?” He likens anyone who hears His words and acts on them to one
who laid the foundation of his/her house on the rock. Arising of the flood and
bursting of the river do not shake it. One who does not act on His words is
like someone who builds a house without a foundation. And “When the river burst
against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”
The word of God is preached today through various means that
were not available during the time of historical Jesus. Yet putting it into
practise is more challenging today than ever.
We read from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans, “...it is not
the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law
who will be justified” (Rom 2:13). Saint
James also writes, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves” (Jas 1:22).
Some fan themselves that God will understand their inability to
do some of His words because of the ones they do. It is important to remind
ourselves that God requires us to conform fully; “...whoever keeps the whole
law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (Jas 2:10). Saint Cornelius and Saint
Cyprian we celebrate today are good examples. They followed the word fully. Where
do you build – on the ground without a foundation or on a foundation laid on the
rock?
Bible Reading: Jas 1:19-27.
Thought for today: Do His words.
Let us pray: Lord, we need your help to put your
word fully into action for we cannot achieve it on our own – Amen.
Saint Cornelius and Saint Cyprian –
Pray for us.
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