Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
(I Kings 8:1-7.9-13; Mark 6:53-56)
Today’s first reading describes the inauguration of King
Solomon’s Temple. It is a magnificent
structure meant to accommodate the encounter between God and humans. Into the Temple the priests bring the Ark of
the Covenant where the Lord God dwells.
Christians have churches which resemble the great Temple of
Solomon. Individual Christians,
following what Jesus says of himself, also are meeting places with the
Lord. The Holy Spirit swells within each
of us who lives the teaching of Christ. The
Spirit moves us to deeper prayer and more extensive charity.
Today the Church remembers one of her most celebrated
daughters. St. Agatha lived in Sicily
during the first centuries of Christianity.
Not much is known about her with historical certainty. However, her martyrdom testifies that knew
and loved Jesus Christ. She has become a
patron saint of Sicily.
