Daily Gospel Reflection

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November 29, 2023

Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lk 21:12-19
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Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”

Reflection

Chris Murphy '89
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Today’s gospel text is a reminder of two truths.

The first truth is that our Catholic faith calls us throughout life to make difficult decisions, to stand for what’s right, and to protect those who cannot defend themselves. These demands over the course of a lifetime may lead us to unpopular decisions with others, sometimes even among those closest to us, but our commitment to our faith still makes them the right decisions.

The second truth is that when we make these decisions, God will be there for us. We don’t have to worry about our defense. Doing so would lead us to be more concerned about our own protection and compromise our ability to follow God’s will for our lives. The right decision will lead us to God’s wisdom and that wisdom will keep us safe and secure in the life God has granted us.

When we consistently seek God in the decisions that matter most, we are blessed with the opportunity to experience God’s love for us in a tangible way. Consistent faith reflects perseverance and perseverance increases our faith. God guides us to both when we are courageous enough to ask for God’s assistance and divine will in our lives.

Prayer

Rev. Michael Thomas, C.S.C.

O, Christ, our lives pattern your own. You were beaten and spat upon for loving a world unused to love. We, however, expect not to be hated by the world, but admired by it; not to be betrayed, but to succeed. Save us from the lie that your name, Jesus, will bring us only success, praise, and power. Give us the endurance to suffer because we have become such great lovers of the world that we bear you in our very bodies. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Saturninus

Saturninus was a popular name in the late antique Roman empire, so there are several obscure saints who all bear that name. At least two potential candidates are the saints with the name Saturninus who we honor today, and both were martyred in the first centuries of the Church. Relics of St. Saturninus rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, but it is unclear which Saturninus the relics belong to.

The legend of Saints Perpetua and Felicity tells of a priest, Saturninus, who was one of their companions and ministered to them during their time in prison, comforting them as they prepared for martyrdom and he anticipated his own. This may or may not be the same Saturninus as Saturninus of Rome.

Saturninus of Rome was a priest who ministered with Sisinius, a deacon. They were imprisoned during a period of persecution of Christians, potentially during the reign of Septimius Severus and forced into manual labor before being tortured and killed, most likely around the year 203 AD.

Saturninus of Toulouse was the first bishop of the city of Toulouse in France, and was known to have converted many with his preaching and by working miracles. One of the popular cults in the late Roman empire was the cult of Mithras. The cult of Mithras was a popular "mystery religion," which featured secret initiation rites and cultic sacrifice. A temple to Mithras had long stood at the heart of Toulouse but Saturninus’ presence and preaching offended the priests there. They seized him and told him to offer sacrifice to Mithras or face death. Saturninus chose death, saying, “I worship only one God, and I am ready to offer a sacrifice of praise.” They tied him to a bull that was to be sacrificed at the temple and then prodded the animal to run through the streets until Saturninus was dead. Saturninus was thought to have been martyred around the year 257 AD.

Churches were built over the bodies of both of these saints in their respective cities.

St. Saturninus, who showed great dedication to God, even under the threat of death—pray for us!


Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Saturninus is in the public domain. Last accessed October 18, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.