Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Andrew Dung Lac, P. & Comps (24th November, 2018) on
the Gospel and the Memorial
Rev 11:4-12;
Ps 143:1-2.9-10. (R. v. 1);
Lk 20:27-40.
Through the missionary efforts of various religious
families beginning in the sixteenth century and continuing until 1866, the
Vietnamese people heard the message of the gospel, and many accepted it despite
persecution and even death. On June 19, 1988, Pope Saint John Paul II canonized
117 persons martyred in the eighteenth century. Among these were ninety-six
Vietnamese, eleven missionaries born in Spain and belonging to the Order of
Preachers, and ten French missionaries belonging to the Paris Foreign Mission
Society. Among these saints are eight Spanish and French bishops, fifty priests
(thirteen European and thirty-seven Vietnamese), and fifty-nine lay people.
These martyrs gave their lives not only for the Church but for their country as
well.[1]
Topic: Rising from the dead.
The Sadducees who say there is no resurrection asked Jesus whose
wife a woman who was married in turns according to Moses’ law to seven brothers
will be on the day of resurrection. Jesus told them that marriage is for those
who belong to this age. However,
...those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and
in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angles and are children
of God, being children of the resurrection.
Rising from the dead is a common belief especially among
Christians. But to the extent we are aware that whoever wants to rise into
everlasting life must prepare for it is a thing to worry about. The lives of many
contradict what we say loudly that we believe in, cf. Phil 3:18. Rising from the dead into everlasting life starts now by
rising from sin. Whoever refuses to rise from sin will end up in everlasting
shame, cf. Dan 12:2. We ought to follow
the examples of Saint Andrew Dung Lac and his Companions who defied every obstacle
standing on their way to everlasting life.
Bible Reading: Phil 3:12–4:1.
Thought for today: We shall all rise.
Let us pray: God, give us the grace that will
enable us rise to life everlasting – Amen.
Saint Andrew Dung Lac & Companions
– Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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May
God bless you all+
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