Memorial of Saint Agatha,
virgin and martyr
(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)
The word incense
is the past participle form of the Latin verb incendere meaning to burn. Incense is often burned as an offering to God. The smoke that it gives off rises as a symbol
of human desire to come into the divine presence. The sweetness of its fragrance is meant to
please the Lord.
In today’s first reading incense rises in Solomon’s
temple for the first time. It is an
important occasion. Now people have a
special place to make offering for their sins.
Solomon even declares that God dwells in the cloud of smoke that results
from their sacrifice. In the story of
Israel, however, the people do not stop sinning. The prophets then prescribe a more effective offering
than incense. The people are to be “humble
and contrite in spirit” trembling at God’s word (Isaiah 66:2).
Such a person was today’s patron, Saint Agatha. Although little is known with certainty beyond
her dying as a martyr, there is a late story that describes her
sacrifice. Agatha was a Sicilian beauty
who professed her virginity to the Lord.
The Roman prefect became enamored of her and had her tortured for
refusing to give in to him. Soon afterwards
she died in prison.
Fortunately we will not be called to make the supreme
sacrifice for God. But we can and should
make small sacrifices of prayer, patience and charity regularly. These works, as the psalmist says, rise to
God like incense.
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