November 12 2019 - St. Josaphat - What we were obliged to do

When I think of the apostles and martyrs willingly going to their death for Christ, martyrs like our parish patron, St. Ignatius of Antioch, and St. Josaphat whom the Church honors today, I wonder if they shared the sentiment found at the end of our Gospel reading today: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'

The martyrs, men and women, up and down the centuries, so loved Christ that they were compelled when given the choice to abandon the faith or to die for Him, they chose to die. These are the ones who did what they were commanded to do. They took up their cross and followed the Lord all the way to Calvary because they loved Him and believed in Him and trusted in his promises.

“All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing” writes Ignatius of Antioch. “It is better for me to die on behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth”

St. Josaphat was born into an orthodox family in 1580, but as an adult he joined one of the eastern churches that had recently returned to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest and eventually a bishop. And through the education of his flock, the reform of his clergy, and his personal example of holiness, Josaphat succeeded in winning the majority of the Orthodox in his diocese to full communion with Rome. Those who opposed him plotted his death. With furies cries of “Kill the Papist” he was killed and thrown into a river.

And yet, knowing his end, would have chosen to water down his teaching? Would he have put off the work of Christian unity for someone else. Would he have given the excuse that it was too dangerous, or not politically correct? Likely, he would have said, “I have done what I was obliged to do.”

And for this, at the time of his judgment, he appeared before the throne of God who welcomed him, “well done my good and faithful servant…Come and share your master’s joy.”

May each of us cultivate that intense love of the Lord and the Truth of his Gospel, that we may willing to serve Him in all things despite the cost for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For the healing of the wounds of all Christian division and for success in the work of evangelization.

For perseverance in carrying our crosses in fidelity to the Lord Jesus.

For safety for travelers and for the homeless and destitute affected by cold and inclement weather.

That we may be attentive to the needs of the sick, the poor, and the despairing in our midst.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, for those whose names are written in our parish book of the names of the dead, all deceased members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, for those who fought and died for our freedom and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.