THE POWER OF TRUST: FEAR NO MORE. (Homily for January 21, 2016. Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.)


Bible Study:  1st Samuel 18, 6 to 9 and 19, 1 to 7. And Mark 3, 7 to 12.


Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of Blessed Tansi, a man who lived a life of deep piety fuelled by his trust in God. Today, we mark the feast of another great inspiration as far as Christianity is concerned. St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and she had many high ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was great and she hated sin even more than death!

Whenever a man wished to marry Agnes, she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." According to legend, the young men she turned away became so angry and insulted by her devotion to God and purity that they began to submit her name to authorities as a Christian follower.

In one incident, Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!"

Legend say that Agnes was condemned to be dragged through the streets naked but her hair grew instantly to cover her entire body and all the men who attempted to rape the beautiful virgin were immediately struck blind. Agnes was tied to a stake, but either the wood would not burn or the flames parted away from her. This prompted an officer to draw his sword and behead the girl. It is believed that her blood, which poured out to the stadium, was soaked up with cloths by Christians.

She died a virgin-martyr at the age of 12 on 21 January 304. St. Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls. She is also the patron saint of chastity and rape survivors. She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. She is shown as a young girl in robes holding a palm branch with the lamb either at her feet or in her arms.

In our readings today, we see Saul becoming so jealous of the little David that he openly expressed his desire to kill the young man. Jonathan intervenes on David’s behalf and tries to make peace but Saul’s jealousy would later on turn into a form of madness. That which Saul was afraid of by trying to kill David would eventually happen. If only Saul had trusted God enough so as to seek reconciliation with him.

Trust in God entails that we surrender our fears to God in the confidence that God alone will take care of us. Even when people threaten us for our goodness like St. Agnes, even if we know it will cost our life, we do not panic or give in to sin.


Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, teach me to trust more and live entirely for you. Amen.
St. Agnes: Pray for us


God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.

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