Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
In today’s first reading, Paul wrote to Timothy on how bishops should act and what characteristics they should have. Today’s Gospel is about Jesus raising a widow’s son from the dead during his funeral procession. Both readings can teach us about discipleship.
From the Gospel passage, we can learn about compassion from Jesus. At the time, women’s livelihood depended upon her father, husband, or son. Jesus must have known that this woman who had none of those people in her life anymore would struggle to survive in their society. Perhaps, the widow reminded Jesus of his own mother and their relationship. Notably, he was neither part of the funeral procession nor knew the widow. Jesus and his group happened to encounter them outside of Nain. However, his compassion compelled him to help her, a complete stranger. Thus, the widow can participate in society again. Likewise, we are called, as Jesus’ disciples, to be like him, compassionate towards those in need even if we don’t know them.
Today’s first reading is appropriate for today’s memorial for Saints Cornelius and Cyprian who were both bishops—Cornelius who was the bishop of Rome aka the pope and Cyprian who was the bishop of Carthage in northern Africa. In his letter, Paul told Timothy the virtues and qualities of bishops and deacons should have. During this time, the early church needed guidelines and standards for leadership. Both Cornelius and Cyprian were virtuous leaders. They were involved in a schism of whether or not to readmit Christians who apostatized, or publicly deny their Christian faith in order to not be executed for it, during the persecutions in the Roman Empire. They were on the side of the apostatized being able to return to Christian communities after penance since God is merciful. They both reinforced this position in the Church. Eventually both of them were martyred as the persecution of Christians intensified.
Cornelius and Cyprian learned from Jesus about compassion which led to their courage to stand up for extending mercy to other people and for their faith. May we learn and have the courage to do the same.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI