Homily: January 21 - Saint Agnes - "Belonging to Christ without hestitation"

Of all the virgin martyrs of Rome, none was held in such high honor by the early church as Saint Agnes.  She has been honored since the 4th century.  Her name appears in the first Eucharistic prayer.  

St. Agnes of Rome was very young, when she was martyred in the last half of the 3rd century, when Christianity could still not be practiced in public.

When she was about thirteen years old, the son of the Roman governor became infatuated with her.  Agnes had given her heart to Christ—she was a consecrated virgin—she had consecrated herself to Christ for the sake of His kingdom.

When she resisted the governor’s son.  He then threatened her, and told her that he would accuse her of being a Christian.  This meant that she would face death, since it was against the law to be a Christian.

Her heart belonging to Christ, she boldly resisted him.  He accused her of practicing the Christian faith, and she was beheaded.

Pope Benedict, in a reflection on Saint Agnes, said, “ Her martyrdom illustrates “the beauty of belonging to Christ without hesitation.””

Belonging to Christ without hesitation.  Jesus, without hesitation follows the will of His Father.  So too his saints learn to be free from all that keeps them from God’s will.  

When we are tempted, without hesitation we are to cling to Christ.  When we become aware of a need of our brothers and sisters, without hesitation we are to set on the road to helping them.  When we are given the opportunity to witness to the Gospel, without hesitation, without fear, we are to boldly proclaim the Gospel with conviction.

While still a young girl, Agnes had learned that being a disciple of the Lord means loving Him, even at the cost of one’s life.  

Do we have the maturity, the integrity, the courage of this young saint to give ourselves without hesitation when Christ calls us?  

We can see how Agnes’ spiritual life was animated by her intense relationship with God.  Are we cultivating such a relationship with him?

Agnes is a reminder that holiness does not depend on length of years.  Children understand, often better than adults, that following Jesus means to follow him with our whole hearts and minds and soul.  
With the help of Saint Agnes’ prayers and example may we come to see Christ’s glory in the eternal kingdom of heaven.