Often times, the Collect Prayers for the saints reflect something of their lives. Today’s collect contained a prayer asking God to rescue us from the “slavery of corruption.”
The saint we honor today, Pope Callistus I was originally born a slave in Rome, in the late 2nd century. Seeing natural intelligence in him, his Master appointed him to oversee a bank, but after a while the bank failed; Callistus fearing for his life, fled Rome. He was caught and sentenced to hard labor as punishment in the mines of Sardinia. But, as providence would have it, Callistus wasn’t in Sardinia long, thanks to the Pope, who bargained with the emperor to free many of the prisoners.
After his release, Callistus studied theology and became a deacon. 10 years later, Pope Zephyrinus , who had very little theological training, summoned Callistus, to serve as his theological advisor. Callistus soon became a powerful force in the Church, and was elected Pope in 217. In 223, an anti-Christian riot swept through Rome, and Pope Callistus was martyred.
During his pontificate Callistus dealt with a controversial topic: the early Church had very strict rules about readmitting back to Holy Communion public sinners and those who were guilty of adultery, fornication, murder and schism—those who renounced Christ during times of persecution.
Pope Callistus ruled that excommunicants could be received back into communion with the Church after they had performed public penance.
Callistus, the one who was shown mercy, freedom from slavery and imprisonment, directed the Church to be lavish in her mercy to the penitent.
And you’d think this would edify the whole church, but sadly, the Callistus’ merciful ruling enraged his opponents, and even caused a group of Christians to splinter off and elect their own-anti Pope, Hippolytus who was eventually reconciled to the Church and named a saint himself.
From slave to merciful Pope. God works in mysterious ways. “He casts down the mighty from their thrones and raises up the lowly. He chooses the weak and makes them strong in bearing witness to Christ.”
Each of us may not have been physically enslaved and imprisoned, but sin has resulted in a certain spiritual slavery in all of us. But God lavishes his mercy upon us, and we gain freedom and growth in the Spirit, so that we, may in turn, become instrument of that mercy to others.
Through the intercession of Pope St. Callistus may we recognize the many ways, today, that God has mercifully freed you from sinful selfishness, and give thanks. And filled with gratitude extend that mercy to all those you meet, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That each member of the Church may manifest the mercy of Christ in their lives.
For wisdom and mercy to guide the life of the Church, the decisions of government leaders, and the ordering of our personal lives.
For our young people, that they may be raised in homes where the Word of God is studied, cherished, and practiced.
During this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, may Catholics take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession.
For all victims of war, For hurricane victims and for all affected by flooding and severe weather conditions, and for those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s sustaining grace.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish; for all of the poor souls in purgatory and for N.
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.
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