Memorial of Saints (September 18)

St. Joseph of Cupertino was among the few gifted with the power of levitation. When he came of age, he joined the Franciscan Conventuals. His gift for levitation was so extraordinary that the mere mention of anything spiritual lifted him up several feet in the air. This attracted people to flock to him; but not only because of this miraculous feat, but also to ask help for the forgiveness of their sins. Because of his unique gift, Joseph of Cupertino was made patron saint of aviators (died ca. 1663 A.D.).

St. Richardis was married to Charles, son of King Louis the German. She and her husband were crowned rulers of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope John VIII in 881 A.D. Several years later in their marriage, Richardis was accused of infidelity by her husband Emperor Charles. St. Richardis had to endure the ordeal of having to prove her innocence. But when her husband Charles was deposed from his throne, Richardis left him to live as a nun at Hohenburg. She then went to found Andlau Abbey, where she lived the last years of her life (died ca. 895 A.D.).

St. John Massias was orphaned in his youth and worked as a shepherd in his hometown in Spain. He then went to Peru, worked for a while in a cattle ranch, and then decided to join the Dominican Order. As a Dominican lay brother and porter, he was known for his austerities, miracles and visions. He also attracted the poor and the sick, whom he ministered according to their spiritual and physical needs (died ca. 1645 A.D.).

St. Ferreolus was a Christian tribune in the imperial army at Vienne. Crispin, the governor, arrested him because he did not reveal the Christian identity of St. Julian of Brioude. When Ferreolus also announced to the governor that he too was a Christian, he was scourged and imprisoned. Although he was able to escape miraculously, he was recaptured near Vienne and beheaded (died ca. 304 A.D.).

St. Methodius of Olympus was bishop of Olympus, Lycia. His name is listed in the Roman Martyrology and is mentioned also in one of St. Jerome's writings. St. Methodius was known for his preaching and scholarship. Some of the many treatises which he wrote were: "On the Resurrection" and "Symposium". Because of his opposition to Millenarianism, he suffered martyrdom at Chalcis, Greece (died ca. 311 A.D.).

24th Sunday of the Year (A)

24th Sunday of the Year (A) - September 11, 2011

Liturgical readings

Sirach 27:30 - 28:9
Psalm 103
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

"Not seven times; but seventy times seven times."

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, Jesus simply replied: "Seventy times seven times". To know the meaning of this response from Jesus, bible scholars give a clue. Their studies say that the number 7 in the Bible connotes perfection. Applying this meaning to the response of Jesus to Peter, Jesus would not have meant a specific number of times one should forgive his brother. Rather, for lack of exact terminology, and to speak figuratively, Jesus meant "perfect mercy" or "perfect forgiveness". And this the Lord has shown a very good example to all by forgiving His very executioners from the Cross. Remember what He said: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

All people, at one time or another, know of others in their life who have hurt them. In the same manner, they too are aware of the trespasses they have committed against others as well. St. Josemaria Escriva (who founded Opus Dei, and encouraged its members to make confession regularly) says that it would be difficult to forgive if one does not remember a good deed done by people who have committed a transgression against us. But when this counsel of St. Josemaria Escriva is followed and there is prayer for the grace to forgive, this will certainly purify and purge the heart from all forms of resentment and the desire to repay evil for evil. Healing the hurts within is not instant, but God's healing power in His Word and Sacrament, in time, can indeed heal all wounds in life.

At present, when political conflict appears to intensify in many local and global environments, there is a need to be very prudent to avoid hurting or damaging severely any life, relationship or person that can have repercussions to the greater good. Not all are called to be martyrs or victims like our Lord Jesus, St. Stephen the Deacon (Acts 7:60), and Blessed John Paul II (who forgave his assassin publicly). But by the circumstances of living ordinarily in life and work, the majority of the faithful can simply pray patiently for those who have cause hurt and make a sincere act of faith to forgive them, as God Himself has forgiven each one of us from our own acts of hurting others - intentionally or not intentionally.

Memorial of Saints (August 26)