Friday, November 12, 2021

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.