Homily: Nov 12 2015 - St. Josaphat, martyr - Healing the wounds of sin and division

St. Josephat spent his life laboring for the unity of the Church and was a martyr for Church unity because he died trying to bring part of the Orthodox Church into union with Rome.  He’s known as the apostle of union because he gave us life working for the unity of the Church.

He was born into an orthodox family in 1580, but as an adult he joined one of the eastern churches that had recently returned to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  He became a monk of the Order of St. Basil and was just a few years later consecrated an archbishop.  As Archbishop his challenges were many.

Through education, reform of the clergy and personal example, Josephat succeeded in winning over the majority of the Orthodox in his diocese to full communion with Rome.  But those who opposed Church unity and communion with Rome plotted his death, and he was martyred in 1623. With furious cries of “Kill the Papist!”, He was struck on the head and shot and thrown into the river— killed by a mob who opposed his efforts. 

Josephat was beatified just 20 years after his death, recognized as a martyr for the unity Christ came to establish.  On the Feast of Saint Josephat in 1923, Pope Pius XI declared Saint Josephat the Patron Saint of Reunion between Orthodox and Catholics. 

In the Church there is a wonderful, holy and healthy diversity—many people with rich cultural traditions and liturgical heritages enrich the Church, and are endowed with many different gifts for the building up the Church. 

However, at times, we allow our cultural and political differences to become sources of division. But, On the night before his death, Jesus prayed, that we may be one, so that the world might believe. In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI worked especially hard for the reunification of the churches, and Pope Francis continues this effort. In our diversity Christian are meant to profess one faith, one Lord, one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ. Our unity as a Church is meant to show the world that the Church is the authentic Bride of Christ in whom we can find our salvation.  

As we know there are great divisions in our nation, there are many family members estranged from one another, there are many who have set themselves at odds with God through sin. So we must assiduously seek the healing of the wounds of sin and division in the human family and in the Church, and trust that yny division in family, community, nation, Church, or in the human heart can only truly be healed with God’s help. 

St. Josephat labored and died for that unity. May the example of Saint Josaphat inspire us to spend our lives working for the honor and unity of the Church and the healing of human hearts for the glory of God and salvation of souls.