Memorial of St.
Josaphat, bishop and martyr
(Titus 3:1-7; Luke 17:11-19)
The story of St. Josaphat reflects the turmoil of modern Ukraine.
Josaphat was born John Kuncewicz in an
area that straddles Poland and Ukraine in the latter part of the sixteenth
century. He joined a monastery and took
the name Josaphat. Later ordained a
priest of the Byzantine Catholic Church, he advocated the union of the Ukrainian
Orthodox Church with Rome. Then he was successively
appointed bishop of two sees in Russia where there was resentment against
Catholics. Josaphat was killed by a mob
in 1623. Two centuries later Rome canonized
him the first saint from the Eastern churches.
The political divisions in the Ukraine have religious
parallels. The eastern half of the large
country is closer to Russia, and its citizens are largely Russian
Orthodox. The move to secede from the
Kiev government and to join Russia is fomenting there. The western part of the country is mainly
Orthodox but not under the Russian Orthodox authority. Catholics form about ten percent of the population
and live mainly in the west, near to Poland.
It is hoped that these principal churches in the Ukraine can transcend
the political and ethnic differences in Christian unity.
Today’s first reading from the Letter to Titus reminds us
to be obedient to the “every good enterprise” of civil authority. We have to work with government to create a
society where each member may prosper.
The challenge is especially significant in the Ukraine where divisions
have been deepened now by the shedding of blood. Yet the people there are under the same mandate
of Scripture to work for peace with legitimate government.
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