Homily: Sept 16 2016 - Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, martyrs - Bearers of Mercy

Persecution of the Church was so great in the 3rd century that we didn’t have a Pope for 14 months.  Following that interval, today’s saint, Cornelius was elected Pope.

In order to prove their faithfulness to Rome, Christians were being forced to offer incense to the Roman gods. Some Christians bribed the authorities to obtain a document stating that they had offered the sacrifice, others gave in and apostatized, denying Christ by participating in the pagan worship.

Once the persecution died down, a controversy arose when the apostates wanted to be readmitted to Holy Communion. Should these lapsed Christians, who denied Christ publically, be readmitted to the Sacraments?

A priest named Novation claimed the Church did not have the power to reconcile apostates, apostasy being considered the greatest betrayal of Christ. Novatian had strong support for this rigorist view and was even consecrated the Church’s first anti-Pope.

In the year 251, Pope Cornelius called a synod in Rome, and declared Catholics could be restored to the Church with what he called, “the usual medicines of repentance”.  Through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again. He was supported in this by many bishops, but especially the North African bishop Cyprian, who was one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

Persecutions resumed the following year.  Cornelius was arrested and deported.  A few years later, down in Carthage, Cyprian was also arrested and martyred.

Both Saints Cornelius and Cyprian are mentioned in the First Eucharistic prayer for their importance to the early Church.  Yet, are they not two wonderful examples for this Holy Year of Mercy.

There is no sin so great that it cannot be absolved in the Sacrament of Confession. God reaches out to the sinner, those who have publicly denied him, those who have rejected his mercy in the past. I think of many atheists who have publicly claimed to not believe in God, some of them were raised Catholic. For whatever reason, anger at God, pride, public pressure, they renounced their faith. God is even reaching out to them.

We pray for apostates: as long as they breath it is not too late for them to repent. The Lord might even be preparing some of us to witness to the faith to them, preparing us to be apostles of mercy, instruments for the conversion of sinners. And we must make use of the opportunities God give us to grow in mercy and knowledge of our faith.

Through the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian may we faithfully bear God’s mercy to all those in need of it, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.