Homily: Sept 26 - Saints Cosmas and Damian - Struggling vines make better wines

In that beautiful first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes we heard there is an appointed time for everything: to time to be born, a time to die, and so much in between—the undulating ebb and flow of life like seasons of weather.  Each of us could no doubt speak of times of joy, times of difficulty, where we needed to learn to rely on God’s grace.

Ecclesiastes reminds us how through the struggle, through the ups and downs of life, God places the timeless into our hearts; through the struggle God makes us into the people we are meant to be. 

An old Italian saying states “struggling vines make better wines.”  Grape vines that struggle, that have to work hard, generally result in a better quality grape which will produce a better quality wine.  And the same is true for us.  In struggle, we often become our best selves. 

Cosmas and Damien were twin brothers born at the end of the third century in Syria.  They were physicians and were known as “the moneyless ones”, because they didn’t charge their patients.  They were actually the first surgeons to successfully perform a limb transplant, and this was in the early fourth century.

Christians who openly professed their faith, in the early fourth century during the persecution of Diocletian, did so at great risk.  For openly practicing their faith, for living and seeking to pass on the Gospel of Christ, Cosmas and Damien were arrested, tortured and beheaded.

Cosmas and Damien are examples for us of what Christianity is all about.  Sacrificing ourselves for others.  Living generously for others, pouring ourselves out in service, the way Jesus did, witnessing to the love of God, and the truth of the Holy Gospel, even with our lives.

They sacrificed wealth in order to serve the sick free of charge, and they sacrificed their very lives when they were martyred for the faith.  Yet they are like those “struggling vines who make better wines”.  They became their best selves when they gave their lives away in self-sacrifice. 

Through the difficult times of life we learn to humbly surrender and to trust God.  For Cosmos and Damien were able to give greatly because they trusted God greatly; in giving themselves totally to Him, they were able to give themselves away in his service. 

 May we like Cosmas and Damien be generous with our time, talent, and treasure in service to God, may we be perfected in his service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.