Feb 05 2019 - St. Agatha - The Powerful Faith of the Virgin Martyrs

After offering a series of parables about the Kingdom of God, St. Mark gives us series of stories of Jesus manifesting the power of God. We hear of Jesus calming the storm—showing his Divine authority over the destructive powers of nature, we heard yesterday of Jesus’ exorcism of Gerasene demoniac—showing his Divine authority over the powers of evil which seek the destruction and corruption of human nature. Today we hear two stories: the curing of the woman stricken with a hemorrhage for 12 years, and then the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Here Jesus shows his Divine authority over terrible human disease which the most learned of doctors and experts could find a cure. And he shows his Divine authority over the most terrible of human afflictions—death itself.

By stringing these stories together, St. Mark helps us to place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Son of God, who is victorious over the powers of sins and death through his own cross and resurrection.
It is this faith that gives the martyrs, like St. Agatha who we honor today, such courage and conviction in their own trials. St. Agatha is one of the great virgin martyrs of the early Roman church, who in the midst of persecution, chose to be faithful to Christ no matter what the cost. 

Saint Agatha was born in Sicily to rich and noble parents. Out of love for Christ, she consecrated herself to the Lord and His service. When a government edict called for the suppression of Christianity, St Agatha was arrested for resisting the advances of a degenerate civil official. To punish her for wishing to protect her chastity, she was sent to a brothel, a house of prostitution. When she persevered in protecting her chastity, her breasts were cut off, and she was sent to her martyrdom.

The world needs witnesses to holiness like St. Agatha. And the power and love of God shines so brightly in the witness of the virgin martyrs—that corruption, and perversion, and violence, and death do not get the last word.

Christians today are surrounded by innumerable pressures to forsake the faith, to make compromises with the world, which are repugnant to the teachings of Christ. We do well to invoke Agatha and the virgin martyrs on behalf of our young people, that they will value Christian chastity above the perversions of our culture, and all of us do well to invoke Agatha, that we may be willing to suffer in order to allow the power of Christ and love of God shine in our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Through the intercession of St. Agatha and all the holy virgin-martyrs, for an increase in chastity, purity, and modesty and for greater respect for the dignity of the human body and all human life.
That all of our young people may be kept safe from the poisonous errors and vices of our time and be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus through the faith of their families, daily prayer, attendance at Mass, and the practice of the virtues.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord