September 16 2024 - Saints Cornelius & Cyprian, Martyrs - Instruments of mercy, peace, and unity.

 During a particularly violent persecution of the Church, led by the roman emperor Decius in the year 250, many Christians, in order to save their lives, submitted to the imperial mandate for citizens of the empire to prove their loyalty to empire by offering incense to the Roman Gods.

This imperial mandate was designed to root out Christians. For by this time, the empire knew well that Christians could not commit this act of idolatry. 

Some Christians, tried to get around the mandate by bribing authorities to obtain a document which stated that they had offered such sacrifices.  But that document till said, basically, “I deny Christ”. It’s still a public act—still an act of apostasy.

As the persecutions died down, the question arose: can these apostates be readmitted to communion? After all, the denied Christ publicly, through public documentation. 

So, in the year 251, Pope Cornelius, whom we honor today, called a synod in Rome. After hearing from his bishops and theologians, he declared that, yes, the apostates could be restored to communion, as long as they underwent what he called “the usual medicines of repentance”.  He affirmed that through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again. 

Pope Cornelius was supported in this pronouncement by many bishops, but especially St. Cyprian, the most important bishop in North Africa, and one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

All these centuries later, we are still in possession of a letter written by Cyprian to Pope Cornelius. Listen to these words: “My very dear brother,” he wrote, “we have heard of the glorious witness given by your courageous faith. On learning of the honor you had won by your witness, we were filled with such joy that we felt ourselves sharers and companions in your praiseworthy achievements. After all, we have the same Church, the same mind, the same unbroken harmony. God’s merciful design has warned us that the day of our own struggle, our own contest, is at hand. By that shared love which binds us close together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation, to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common. These are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are the spiritual defenses, the God-given armaments that protect us. Let us then remember one another, united in mind and heart. Let us pray without ceasing, you for us, we for you; by the love we share we shall thus relieve the strain of these great trials.”

Cyprian was right, that, both he and Pope Cornelius would face their own day of struggle, as Cyprian called it. Both were martyred when the persecutions flared up again. But Cyprian gives good advice for all of us, in the time that we have, to make use of the “heavenly weapons which give us strength”—fasting, prayer vigils, and prayer in common. 

Through the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian may we encourage one another through all the trials we face, and bear witness to all whom we are called to forgive, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be effective instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

For an end to government corruption and politically motivated violence, and all forms of greed which breed hatred and war.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

August 5 2024 - Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica - Holy Mother Church

 In the Gospel for this memorial of the dedication of St. Mary Basilica in Rome, a woman from the crowd cries out to Jesus saying "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed."

This line can be interpreted in a number of ways. The literal interpretation of this verse refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus. It acknowledges her unique role in carrying and nurturing the Son of God. This blessing recognizes Mary's physical motherhood and her importance in the incarnation of Christ.

Christians, who are made brothers and sisters of Christ through baptism, have also received Mary as our Spiritual Mother. Our faith, in a sense, is born from her.

The verse can also be interpreted allegorically to refer to the Church. 

The Church is our Mother. Sancta Mater Ecclesia, Holy Mother Church. Christians are born from the womb of the Church, and she nurtures the faithful spiritually, just as Mary nurtured Jesus physically.

St. Cyprian of Carthage in the third century famously wrote, "No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother. Christians relationship with God is intrinsically linked to the Church—for it is by her Sacraments that we are reborn, strengthened, fed, healed, reconciled, and it is through her teaching that we are enlightened in how to remain in right relationship with God and come to the heavenly end for which God made us. At the breasts of Mother Church we receive spiritual nourishment, on her lap, we learn the lessons needed for eternal life. 

In another way, the Church is Mother. Just as Mary bore Christ in her womb, the Church "bears" Christ to the world through its teachings, sacraments, and the lives of the faithful. Mary is the theotokos—the God bearer—she bore Jesus to the world. So too each of us, as members of the Church are to bear Christ in our words and works and in bearing the life of the Trinity in our souls.

As we honor the dedication of the basilica of St. Mary Major, we consider how as sons and daughters of Mother Church and Mother Mary, we, like her are to hear the word of God and obey it, that we, like her, may bear Christ to the world, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, our Holy Mother: That she may continue to nurture and guide the faithful through her teachings and sacraments, bearing Christ to the world in word and deed. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who feel distant from the Church: That they may experience anew the maternal love of Mary and the Church, finding their way back to the family of faith. Let us pray to the Lord.

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life: That many may respond generously to God's call to serve as instruments of His love and mercy within Mother Church. Let us pray to the Lord.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of every human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death. 

That members of the Church may be attentive to the needs of those who suffer, and that sick and the poor may be open to the merciful grace of God.

For the deceased members of our families and parishes, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

September 16 2022 - Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian - Seeking out the lost & lapsed

 

In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard three parables of rejoicing when the lost are found. Joy over the finding of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. 

Our Lord told these parables in response to the pharisees criticism that he dined with sinners, as a way of signaling that he has come precisely for sinners, and that the pharisees should be rejoicing over this fact. 

The saints we honor today, a martyred Pope and a martyred bishop from the 3rd century were church leaders who were concerned with the reconciliation of sinners. 

During a particularly violent persecution of the Church, led by the roman emperor Decius, many Christians, in order to save their lives, underwent the public, state-mandated ritual of offering incense to the Roman Gods.  Others, trying to get around the actual burning of incense, bribed authorities to obtain a document which stated that they had offered such sacrifices.  But that document till said, basically, “I deny Christ”. It’s still a public act—still an act of apostasy.

Now the Gospels are pretty clear that we are to hold fast to Christ to the end; we are to publicly proclaim him as Lord despite worldly pressures.

As the persecutions died down, the question arose: can these apostates be readmitted to communion? So, in the year 251, Pope Cornelius, whom we honor today, called a synod in Rome, and after presumably hearing from his bishop and theologians, declared that, yes, the apostates could be restored to communion, as long as they underwent what he called “the usual medicines of repentance”.  After all, St. Peter, prince of the apostles and first Pope and bishop of Rome had denied Christ three times, publicly.

That through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again. Pope Cornelius was supported in this pronouncement by many bishops, but especially St. Cyprian, the most important bishop in North Africa, who was one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

There is no sin so great that it cannot be absolved in the Sacrament of Confession. God forgives repentant sinners, including those who have publicly denied him. There are many Catholics, who for whatever reason: anger at God, pride, public pressure, attachment to sin, have renounced their faith or lost their faith, either publicly or in their heart. They are the lost, like the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.

But God is working, always, to help them to find their way back home before it is too late, before they are lost forever. And, he enlists us in this work: to preach the Gospel to them, to go out to them to invite them home, to prick their consciences perhaps, reminding them of their eternal soul and God’s love for them. 

The angels of heaven who rejoice over the conversion of sinners, want to help us to do our part in the reconciliation of those who have fallen away. Unlike the joyless second son in Sunday’s Gospel, we welcome sinners home with great celebration.

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.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be effective instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

September 16 2019 - Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian - The medicine of repentance

In yesterday’s Sunday Gospel, we heard three parables of rejoicing when the lost are found. There was joy and a celebration when the lost sheep was found. There was joy and a celebration when the lost coin was found after a time of diligent searching. And there was joy and a celebration when the lost son, the prodigal son, came to his senses, and returned home: he was dead and has come back to life, he was lost, and now is found.

Our Lord told these parables in response to the pharisees criticism that he dined with sinners. He tells these parables to signify that he has come precisely for sinners, and that the pharisees should be rejoicing over this fact. They should be rejoicing that he has come as the instrument of God’s mercy, that sinners may repent and be reconciled to God.

The saints we honor today, a martyred Pope and a martyred bishop from the 3rd century were church leaders who were concerned with the reconciliation of sinners.

During the persecution of Decius, many Christians had offered incense to the gods to save their lives. Others had bribed the authorities and had obtained a document which stated that they had offered such sacrifices.

The question arose of whether it was possible for these apostates to be reconciled to the Church. 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”.  That 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 St. Cyprian, the most important bishop in North Africa, who was one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

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 living as if he did not exist. 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. The angels of heaven who rejoice over the conversion of sinners, are waiting for us, to do our part in the reconciliation of those who have fallen away. Unlike the joyless second son in yesterday's Gospel, we welcome sinners home with great celebration

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.
 
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That the Pope and all the clergy may be courageous and kind instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.