Memorial of Saint
Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs
(II Timothy 1: 1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)
Bob Santamaria was an Australian Catholic famous for organizing
labor and defending Church teaching. In
the 1940s and 50s Santamaria educated
workers on the factory floor of the dangers of Communist ideology. In this way he helped save the nation from
Communist government. In the effort he was
inspired by the Catholic social teaching of Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI. Later he defended as well the controversial
teachings on the family of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II. Bob Santamaria did what St. Paul encourages
Timothy to do in today’s first reading.
Sensing some discouragement in Timothy, Paul tells his
disciple to “stir into flame the gift of God.”
This gift is nothing less than
the Holy Spirit. It comes with the
laying on of hands both in Confirmation and in Ordination. The Spirit strengthens the person for service
in Church and world. Not being timid,
the Spirit prompts Christians to defend life whether from abortion and the hangman.
At times, we tire of working for the Lord. Friends may think the work strange or worthless. We yearn to live like, we imagine, everyone
else - pursuing their own desires. At
these moments we should heed Paul’s admonition.
We should call upon the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with peace from serving
the King.
