Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope, and Saint Cyprian, bishop, martyrs
(I Corinthians 11:17-26.33; Luke 7:1-10)
The Eucharist from its beginning has been a sign and a source
of unity. As Jesus brought together his
disciples from various backgrounds to share the Passover meal so today people from
different families and, often enough, ethnic heritages assemble for Mass. Then as Jesus charged the bread and the cup
of the Passover meal with his body and blood to unite his disciples in common
cause, Mass-goers become more connected to one another in partaking of the
Lord. In today’s first reading St. Paul is
indignant that members of the Corinthian community shun unity to indulge their
appetites.
It seems that the Lord’s supper in Paul’s time was like a lunch
break with a pause to remember the blessing of bread and wine. Paul chastizes the community for not sharing what
each brought. Then he tries to reorient
them by recalling the solemn intention of Jesus. He
gave his undefiled body as an offering of love so that they may in turn support
one another.
Saints Cornelius and Cyprian were involved in a dispute over
the unity of the Church. They lived in
the middle of the third century when persecutions were not uncommon. Both held that the Christians who apostatized
rather than be executed could be forgiven their tragic sin. A rival said that apostasies during
persecution were unforgiveable and the perpetrators all but damned. According to the saints, whose cause was vindicated,
the guilty should undergo severe penances but their reconciliation was not hopeless.
