Memorial of Saints (August 7)

St. Cajetan was a politician at first in his hometown at Vicenza, Italy. He left this profession, pursued a vocation in Rome, and was ordained in 1516 A.D. After some time, he founded the Theatines - a community of Clerks Regular who were committed to teach catechism, assist the poor and reform the clergy. When Rome was besieged, St. Cajetan and his companions opened communities in Venice and Naples. St. Cajetan continued to work tirelessly and prayed intensely for the apostolates of his Order (died ca. 1547 A.D.).

St. Sixtus II was elevated to the papacy at a time when the persecution of Christians was still intense. The emperor of Rome at the time was Valerian. Valerian issued an edict ordering the execution of clergy and the imposition of penalties on lay people. On August 6, 258 A.D., while the Pope was addressing the faithful at a cemetery of Praetextatus, the Emperor's forces rushed in, seized the Pope and four deacons, and beheaded them. Two other deacons were executed later that day, while the seventh deacon, Lawrence, was executed four days later. After St. Sixtus II's martyrdom, his body was transferred to the papal crypt in the cemetery of Callistus on the Appian Way (died ca. 258 A.D.).

St. Albert of Sicily, a.k.a. Albert of Trapani, joined the Carmelites and then went to Messina where he became famous for his miracles and preaching. After receiving success in his preaching, he retired and spent his last years as a hermit near Messina in Italy (died ca. 1307 A.D.).

St. Afra was martyred during the Diocletian era of Christian persecutions. Afra's mother, Hilaria, was able to obtain her daughter's body, and buried it in a sepulcher with the help of three servants - Digna, Eunomia and Emprepia. When the Emperor's guards discovered them, all four of them were burned to death in St. Afra's sepulcher. St. Afra's burial place became a place of pilgrimage. It also became the site where many bishops of Augsburg were buried until the year 1000 A.D. (died ca. 304 A.D.).

St. Donatus was consecrated as the second bishop of Arezzo, Italy. His name is recorded in the Roman Martyrology. He was martyred during the persecution of Christians ordered by Emperor Julian the Apostate. Though his name is recorded in the list of Martyrs, there is no record as to how he suffered martyrdom (died ca. 362 A.D.).

St. Claudia was the mother of St. Linus - the second Pope, the one who succeeded St. Peter. There are many traditional stories that recount the life of St. Claudia. But what is certain is that two of these traditional stories lead to the name Claudia mentioned in St. Paul's second letter to Timothy (died 1st century A.D.).

St. Dometius the Persian was a convert to the Faith. He became a monk at Nisibis, Mesopotamia. He was ordained a deacon and then lived as a hermit. Because of his holiness, St. Dometius drew many people to his cave. This situation angered Emperor Julian the Apostate. And when St. Dometius eventually denounced the Emperor's impiety, the hermit was stoned to death (died ca. 362 A.D.).

St. Victricius became a soldier when he was seventeen years old. He then converted to the Christian faith and refused to bear soldier's arms anymore. His refusal led to his flogging and sentencing to death. But somehow, he was able to escape the death penalty imposed upon him, and was discharged from the army. He became bishop of Rouen in 386 A.D. and worked as a missionary in nearby Flanders, Hainault and Brabant. He then went to England and became involved in the politics of the Church, so much so, that he was accused of heresy. However, Pope St. Innocent I exonerated him from the false charges (died ca. 407 A.D.).

St. Donatus of Besançon was a monk at Luxeuil, Gaul (now in present-day Haute-Saone, France). He was named to the episcopate and became bishop of Besançon in 624 A.D. St. Donatus encouraged monasticis in his diocese and also founded St. Paul Abbey at Besançon (died ca. 660 A.D.).

Understanding Mark 8:31-10:34

A Key to Mark's gospel

A key to Mark's gospel is the confession of Peter in Mark 8:27-31. Before this turning point, the question of who Jesus is in the minds of those who read the gospel of Mark is: "Who is this?" Now that this question is answered by Peter's confession, Mark develops the second part of his gospel to answer the question: "What does this imply?"

Structure of the second part of the gospel

In the second part of Mark's gospel, Bible scholars produced an outline that structures the second part as three predictions of the Passion (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34), accompanied by instructions on discipleship integrated within them (Mk 8:34-38; 9:33ff; 10:35-44). Reading now the last instruction on discipleship, there are two actual "cases" of discipleship: the two sons of Zebedee (Mk 10:35-45) and blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46-52).

Implications of being "the Christ" made clearer

In the three predictions of the passion, Jesus makes clear to His disciples what is involved in His being the Christ: that He must suffer and be killed. Of the three predictions, the third one (Mk 10:32-34) is most detailed. However, it is to be noted that none of the three prophecies explicitly state Jesus speaking about His crucifixion.

Instructions on discipleship

Since Jesus had a following, He made it clear what following Him meant for those who became His apostles and disciples. As far as His followers are concerned, "they are to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus" (Mk 8:34). Scholars of the bible say that the term "cross" may not be original, since Jesus did not state explicitly anything about crucifixion. The original term, according to them, may be close to the word, "burden". Maybe Jesus said, "let him deny himself, take up his burden, and follow me". Whatever was the original term and meaning used by Jesus, Catholic history still attests to the truth that Peter and the others close to Jesus were also crucified!

Meaning of true discipleship

After the instructions on discipleship, the gospel of Mark gives two actual "cases" of discipleship: the sons of Zebedee and blind Bartimaeus. First, the two sons of Zebedee misunderstood what discipleship really meant. They thought of "sitting at the left and right hand" of Jesus in glory (Mk 10:37), and forgot that discipleship can also mean suffering and dying like Jesus. This is in contrast to the understanding of the second case: blind Bartimaeus. After being cured by Jesus, and called by Jesus to follow Him, Bartimaeus actually, and indeed "followed Jesus on the way" (Mk 10:52), which was the way to Jerusalem, and therefore to the cross. This contrast presented by Mark, shows how Bartimaeus, an "outsider" of the inner circle of Jesus, surpasses the sons of Zebedee, who were really "professional followers", in understanding what true discipleship really meant. From this exposition on the meaning of true discipleship, it can lead us to reflect on the two ways of following Jesus: (1) that of following Jesus and sacrificing life like the apostles and disciples who became martyrs (the inner circle of Christ); (2)or, it can be like the healed Bartimaeus, who follows Jesus on His way to the Cross (an outsider to the inner circle).

Reflection on the Transfiguration

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

Matthew 17:1-9

"This is my beloved Son in whom my favor rests. Listen to him."

In Matthew's gospel, we see Peter, James and John witnessing the Lord's transfiguration. This illuminating event revealed the divinity of Christ, with the evangelist describing the mystery "as dazzling as the sun" and "as radiant as light". St. Leo (ca. 400-461 A.D.), the 45th pope from St. Peter the Apostle, comments on this passage from the gospel in one of his sermons. He says that the reason for this divine manifestation, is to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of the apostles, so that when the Lord dies on the cross, they would not be disturbed entirely by his death.

Some scholars of the Bible would comment that the Transfiguration event in the life of Christ was a glimpse of his resurrection, and a foretaste of the resurrection of the body and life eternal. But deep within these two mysteries is the gift and mystery of the Cross - a reality Jesus had to take up in obedience to his Father's will, and which the apostles were challenged to accept painfully with faith. Bible commentators believe that since the scandal of the cross may shake the faith and confidence of the apostles, the Lord revealed his divinity before the event of his passion and death. But it was to James and John, and to Peter that the Lord granted the vision. And Peter was entasked to encourage his brothers after the tragic event of Jesus' death (Luke 22:31-32).

The difficulties and tragedies of the times can weaken the natural faith we have in the goodness of the world and others - difficulties like calamities that can make living conditions humanly impossible to deal with. This is what happened to the apostles and the many disciples of Jesus. Though the three in Christ's inner circle (Peter, James and John) had a vision of the Lord in glory, they forgot about it when the death of the Lord actually loomed before their eyes. The vision they had witnessed with the Father saying: "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him", was meant to strengthen them. It is also meant for us. The Christian vision of the resurrection of the body and life eternal (which the Transfiguration is said to prefigure), is meant to encourage us, and give us hope, so that in times of severe stress, trials, and crisis, our remembrance of Christ will help us stand in the midst of adversity.

Scripture quote:
Let us bear our share of the hardship which the gospel entails (2 Timonty 1)
The Lord came toward them and layed his hand on them and said, "Get up! Do not be afraid" (Matthew 17)