Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr
(Hebrews
12:4-7.11-15; Mark6:1-6)
John Milton
defines his purpose in his epic “Paradise Lost” as “justify(ing) the ways of
God to men.” The author of the Letter to
the Hebrews has the same intention in today’s first reading. He writes that the slowness of Christ’s
coming and the affronteries experienced by Hebrew Christians are meant to
discipline them. The suffering gives the
people both time and need to seek salvation from God.
Rather than
complain or withdraw, the author encourages his readers to think positively
about the trials they face. As isometric
exercise providing resistance to counterweight makes an athlete strong, so
patience and endurance will make the Christian holier and more pleasing to God.
Saints, as
always, can be looked to as models.
Today’s patron, St. Agatha, suffered greatly to retain her virginal
devotion to the Lord. After undergoing harassment
and torture, she died in a prison in 251 A.D.
Since then, he has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest martyrs
of the Church.
