Pope Benedict, in a reflection on Saint Agnes, said, “ Her martyrdom illustrates “the beauty of belonging to Christ without hesitation.”
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 did not hesitate in remaining true to her faith. He accused her of practicing the Christian faith, and she was beheaded.
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.
Belonging to Christ without hesitation. Too often we fear following Christ without hesitation. Giving him a blank check with our life.
Martyrdom, for St Agnes, meant the generous and free acceptance of giving her own young life, in its entirety and without reservation, that the Gospel might be preached. Also, she prepared for martyrdom by the conscious, free and mature choice of virginity, the choice to belong totally to Christ.
Agnes, still young, learned that being a disciple of the Lord means loving Him by putting all her life at His disposal.
When we are given the opportunity to witness to the Gospel, without hesitation, without fear, we are to boldly proclaim the Gospel with conviction.
Agnes teaches us 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.
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 did not hesitate in remaining true to her faith. He accused her of practicing the Christian faith, and she was beheaded.
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.
Belonging to Christ without hesitation. Too often we fear following Christ without hesitation. Giving him a blank check with our life.
Martyrdom, for St Agnes, meant the generous and free acceptance of giving her own young life, in its entirety and without reservation, that the Gospel might be preached. Also, she prepared for martyrdom by the conscious, free and mature choice of virginity, the choice to belong totally to Christ.
Agnes, still young, learned that being a disciple of the Lord means loving Him by putting all her life at His disposal.
When we are given the opportunity to witness to the Gospel, without hesitation, without fear, we are to boldly proclaim the Gospel with conviction.
Agnes teaches us 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.
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