Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr
Our feast for today calls us to remember two men who lived in the same era, dealt with similar issues and died for their support of authentic Catholic beliefs. Cornelius, who was the pope, sided with Cyprian the African Bishop of Carthage on the issue of how to deal with lapsed Catholics. Both believed that upon completion of a proper penance, (which would have been rigorous), those who had fallen away from the church during a time of heavy persecution could be restored to the faith. Although the teaching was upheld by a synod of Western bishops, the emperor, at the time, sent Cornelius into exile. Cyprian was eventually martyred for standing with Cornelius.
Using St. Paul’s letter today for the feast of Cornelius and Cyprian affirms that these men understood the greatness of God and God’s Church. They were also mindful of their call to conduct both their own lives and the life of the Church in a manner that reflected God’s justice. Cyprian and Cornelius both knew who Jesus was and how what Jesus taught was to be followed. Their actions contrast those of the Pharisees in today’s Gospel who want to play spiritual games. The Pharisees want to spin Jesus’ ministry to the poor and sinners as one that is not from God. They miss the forest for the trees. In reality, the gospel shows that a true follower of Jesus understands that the ministry of Jesus is fulfilled in his healing of the blind, the freeing the oppressed and in preaching the good news to the poor.
In the gospel, we see the people as making one of two choices. The two choices are recognizing Christ as the “the one” who is sent by God or by seeing Jesus as a “glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” (Lk 7:34) The choice is ours still to make today. Do our lives outwardly reflect an inward reality that believes, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart?” (Ps 111:1a) Or do our lives reflect the Pharisees, who wanted to play games with what Jesus taught and stood for throughout his ministry? Are we mindful that this covenant we have entered into, calls us to radical discipleship?
“Lord, we lift this day up to you. We ask that you and your Spirit be with us, guiding us to live our lives in a manner which glorifies you. Please give us grateful hearts full of resolve and fortitude, so that like Cornelius and Cyprian, we might always conduct ourselves in a godly manner. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
- Michael Montgomery