Today, we celebrate the feast of these two great saints, Pope Cornelius and Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage. Both of them were great leaders of the Church. They were important Church fathers and leaders. Both are mentioned in the Roman Canons of the Mass. In the face of challenges, persecutions and death, they had shown us all great examples of faith and courage.
Pope Cornelius reigned during a turbulent time in the middle of the third century. The Roman Empire was troubled with a lot of wars and conflicts, while the Church was persecuted heavily for the faith and belief in God.
Cyprian was Bishop of Carthage in North Africa at around that same time and was very influential in the life of the church.
They faced the various persecutions of the Church as well as the divisions within the Church caused by the followers of one Novatian, a priest (later was elected as antipope by Novatianists) who opposed the re-admittance of Christians who had lapsed from their faith through various reasons, but especially due to the intense persecutions which forced some of them to at least publicly offered sacrifices to the Roman pagan gods and idols. Both argued strongly against the Novatianists, and their teachings. They worked hard to restore unity in the Church and to care and guide their flock. They were martyred for their faith under the persecutions of the Roman Emperors.
In the Gospel reading, we heard a story of faith, humility and courage. We heard the account of the interactions between Jesus and a centurion, (a Roman military officer), who came to the Lord in humility, asking Jesus to help him with his sick servant. The centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. In the discussion between Jesus and this centurion, we see the power of intercessory prayer. The Jews who live in Capernaum themselves testify to Jesus that the centurion was a good gentleman. The Jews asked Jesus to grant the centurion the favor. “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us” they told Jesus.
The pleads of the centurion are used by Catholics at the Eucharistic celebration “Lord, ….. I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof….”
Dear brothers and sisters, in the face of life challenges and difficulties, may we show forth our faithfulness, humility, generosity, and strength in the Lord. May we always remind ourselves that the work is of God, we are only His unworthy servants.
Have a Wonderful Week
