Memorial
of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr
(Wisdom
13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37)
Jesus tells
his disciples that the end will come quickly.
He is warning them that they will not have a long time to repent of
their sins. Therefore – and this is his
point -- they must always be prepared. They
must live like refugees always with bags packed so that they can go on a moment’s
notice. In this case, however, they need
good works not the proper clothes and papers for travel.
“Business as
usual” will not be good enough. Disciple
virtue should exceed those of other people.
Jesus’ disciples will tell the truth not only when they have nothing to
lose but when it brings embarrassment or even punishment. They will take time to listen to the troubled
when they are busy, not only when they have time to waste. In these ways they will merit Jesus’ favor
upon his return.
Today the
Church celebrates the first canonized saint of the Eastern Catholic churches. St. Josaphat was a polish national who became
a monk and then a bishop. As a true
disciple, Josaphat did more than most.
He reformed his diocese which was in disarray from a lax clergy. He also defended Eastern Catholicism caught
between the often hostile forces of Orthodoxy and Latin Catholicism.
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