Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
One of my favorite songs has a refrain, “How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see, How great, How great is our God.” This hymn is reflected in our responsorial for today, “How great are the works of the Lord.” Indeed this psalm reminds us that one of the best ways to reflect Christ is to praise God with our whole heart. This praise can take the form of remembering all of the good things the Lord has done for us in our lives. What are the things or people for which we are grateful right now?
Spending the day surrounded by the intensity of life in the hospital can wear one down at times. But those crisis moments can also bring out the very best in people. How often do we get to see true bravery? Encountering the face of courage and love of Christ in the journey of someone dying offers a profound vision of the Kingdom of God. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion. Imagine a family that has lived through the fiery furnace, and has still held on to their faith and when there were so many reasons not to forgive the only thing that it is to be found is the loving face of Christ’s mercy. A mercy in which each and every person in a family are reconciled. A reconciliation offering the patient a glimpse of Kingdom of heaven and the eternal salvation which they are about to enter.
In Luke’s Gospel today, Jesus is trying to make clear that he desires to save all of God’s children. While Jesus desires to save us, it is we who sometimes do not recognize the messages or the messengers of salvation. Sometimes the messages can seem harsh, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” At other times a clear message can be blocked by our own consciousness, “this Jesus is not holy because he eats with sinners.”
In our minds, we have decided the content of God’s message and how and through whom it will be delivered to us.
St. Paul desires to be the messenger of the Good News, but sends a letter ahead to Timothy in case of delay. The message is one meant to strengthen Timothy and the community at Ephesus, so that their behavior will reflect their deep faith in Jesus. This message is a reminder to us to consider how our lives reflect our deep faith in Christ in all that we say and do.
This was the deep faith I witnessed through the martyrdom of the moments this family shared with me today. A witness in which they shared down their willingness to lay down their life for one another. A witness that will be long written on my heart.
Gracious and merciful Lord, continue to rain your love down upon us. Help us be aware that your messages and messengers are all around. Thank you for the privilege of walking on the holy ground in this families life. And for all martyrs like Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and their companions whose witness reminds us of You the one God who lives and reigns forever. Amen.
- Deacon Michael Montgomery