Homily for February 5, 2018.
Although
God is everywhere, our catechism makes us understand that God dwells in a
special way in the temple. That is why Jesus would go to the temple to drive
out the money changers saying: “My House (that is, God’s dwelling place) shall
be a house of prayer…”
We know
God dwells in a temple because that is where the children of God gather to
pray. Jesus again tells us that “wherever two or three are gathered in my name,
I am with you.” So because that is the place twos and threes gather, we know
God is there.
When
Solomon finished building the temple, he made such a great sacrifice that the
number of sheep and goats could not be numbered. There was a thick cloud in the
temple, a visible sign of God’s presence. Today, our churches do not contain
signs but the real presence of God in the Holy Eucharist. This is what Jesus
has done for us by his death and resurrection.
It takes
faith to recognise that God is present in the temple. It required faith of the
people to see in Jesus, somebody more than just an ordinary men like them. As
we read in today’s Gospel passage, the people RECOGNISED Jesus, they ran from
all over the neighbourhood bringing with them the sick and as many as those who
touched even the fringe of his garments were made well.
Today, we
remember ST. AGATHA, a virgin and martyr.
According
to the Butlers Lives of Saints, St. Agatha was born in Sicily, of rich and
noble parents and consecrated from her earliest infancy to God. In the midst of
dangers and temptations she served Christ in purity of body and soul, and she
died for the love of chastity.
Quintanus,
who governed Sicily under the Emperor Decius, had heard the rumor of her beauty
and wealth, and he made the laws against the Christians a pretext for summoning
her from Palermo to Catania, where he was at the time. “O Jesus Christ!” she
cried, as she set out on this dreaded journey, “all that I am is Thine;
preserve me against the tyrant.”
And Our
Lord did indeed preserve one who had given herself so utterly to Him. He kept
her pure and undefiled while she was imprisoned for a whole month under charge
of an evil woman. He gave her strength to reply to the offer of her life and
safety, if she would but consent to sin, “Christ alone is my life and my
salvation.”
When
Quintanus turned from passion to cruelty, and cut off her breasts, Our Lord
sent the Prince of His apostles to heal her. And when, after she had been
rolled naked upon potsherds, she asked that her torments might be ended, her
Spouse heard her prayer and took her to Himself.
St. Agatha
gave herself without reserve to Jesus Christ; she followed Him in virginal
purity, and then looked to Him for protection. And down to this day Christ has
shown His tender regard for the very body of St. Agatha.
Again and
again, during the eruptions of Mount Etna, the people of Catania have exposed
her veil for public veneration, and found safety by this means; and in modern
times, on opening the tomb in which her body lies waiting for the resurrection,
they beheld the skin still entire, and felt the sweet fragrance which issued
from this temple of the Holy Ghost.
Reflection.--Purity
is a gift of God: we can gain it and preserve it only by care and diligence in
avoiding all that may prove an incentive to sin.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, make me pure and holy. Amen. St. Agatha, pray for us.
Be happy,
live positive, it is well with you. Monday of the 5th week in
Ordinary time. Bible
Study: 1st Kings 8:1-13 and Mark 6:53-56.
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