Memorial of Saints (May 29)

St. Cyril of Caesarea became a Christian early in life. Since his father was pagan, he was disowned by his father and put out of the house. He was then brought to the governor, who offered him pardon if he would renounce his Christian faith and sacrifice to the pagan gods. Cyril naturally refused to renounce his faith and stood steadfast in his belief in Christ. St. Cyril was beheaded and died a martyr for Christ (died ca. 251 A.D.).

St. Maximinus of Trier had a good education under the administration of bishop Agritius. Upon the death of Agritius, Maximinus succeeded to the episcopate in 333 A.D. He staunchly opposed the Arian heresy - supporting St. Athanasius, the leading figure against Arianism. St. Maximinus also gave refuge to Paul of Constantinople and others who were victims of the Arians. He convened the Synod of Cologne which also opposed the Arian heresy. Both St. Jerome and St. Athanasius regarded St. Maximinus of Trier as one of the most courageous bishops of his time (died ca. 347 A.D.).

Sts. Sisinnius, Martyrius and Alexander were three brothers coming from Cappadocia, who all migrated to Milan, Italy. Sisinnius was ordained a deacon, while Martirius was conferred the lectorate, both by Bishop Vigilius. The three brothers were sent to the Tyrol as missionaries. Because of the success of the three in their work of converting the pagans, they were attacked. Sisinnius was beaten to death, Martyrius was dragged to his death, and Alexander was burned to death. All three died as martyrs for Christ within the span of just several days (died ca. 397 A.D.).

St. Theodosia of Constantinople was a nun at the monastery of St. Anastasia. She led a group of nuns in resisting a band of soldiers who were ordered to enforce the iconoclastic orders of Emperor Leo III. The soldiers came to destroy the image of Christ over the monastery's main entrance. Because of their resistance, Theodosia was imprisoned and tortured to death - together with twelve other women (died ca. 745 A.D.).

Sts. William Arnaud, Stephen of Narbonne, and Raymond were martyrs along with others. They came to be known as the Martyrs of Toulouse. These three were commissioned by the Pope to combat Albigensianism. William and his companions were given shelter for a night by Count Raymond VII of Toulouse. Some men, probably allied with the Albigensians, entered the castle and killed William, Stephen, Raymond and their companions. Miracles were reported to have happened at their graves (died ca. 1242 A.D.).

Blessed Richard Thirkeld was educated in Oxford before he entered the priesthood at a very late age. As a priest, he performed his duties around the York area in England. When the authorities learned that he was a priest and that he was seen to be visiting a prisoner at night-time, he was arrested and was condemned to die. His execution was kept private as he was greatly venerated by the people (died ca. 1583 A.D.).

Pentecost Sunday (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

June 8, 2014
Liturgical readings
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23

All were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost Sunday. A Solemnity to celebrate the birth of the Church. There is a Sequence for this solemn feast aside from the usual liturgical readings. It is recited in either prose or the poetic version. Both versions pray to the Holy Spirit - imploring Him to fill the hearts of the faithful. This Spirit is addressed by the faithful in many ways, as can be heard in the recitation of the Sequence: Father of the poor, giver of God's gifts, light of men's hearts, kindly Paraclete, source of all our store, the soul's most welcome guest, sweet refreshment here below, solace in the midst of woe...

The Holy Spirit is the giver of many charisms in the Church. One such charism is given to St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. Montfort was a French missionary priest who lived from 1673-1716 A.D. He wrote about the Holy Spirit in relation to the Blessed Mother. He says the Blessed Virgin Mary is like a spiritual magnet that attracts the Holy Spirit because of her manifold graces. This happened in the Incarnation; and it happened also at Pentecost. This is Montfort's intuition: in the Incarnation, Mary, attracted the Holy Spirit and the Word became flesh in her womb. Among the apostles in the Cenacle, she also attracted the Holy Spirit and the Church was conceived.

What is the Holy Spirit's role in this present generation? One role is the creation of Spirit-inspired charismatic movements - a very popular and spiritually magnetic arm of the Church. They were born at a time when rebirth and renewed attention to the Holy Spirit was ushered in by the Second Vatical Council in the early 1960s. This council brought the Church closer to the people through a renewed missionary force. The council made all the faithful aware that the present age is the age of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who guides and moves the Church, to a greater fervor in the faith, and a more ardent desire to know, love and serve God.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"Tongues as of fire appeared which parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit." (1 Peter)

Understanding the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles

Understanding the Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke from the Perspective of a Journey

Backgrounder on Luke's gospel

The gospel of Luke is often referred to by post-Vatican II bible scholars as a two volume book known as Luke-Acts. The author of the gospel is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles. When reading both books, one can see the missionary works of Jesus continued by the missionary works of His followers. The apostles and St. Paul continue the mission of Jesus in the book of Acts.

The journey perspective in St. Luke's gospel

To understand the richness of Luke's gospel, one can focus on the journey narrative in the presentation of the gospel. Below is an outline of this journey:

• Jesus journeys in his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem
• Galilean Ministry [Luke 4:14 - Luke 9:50]
• Journey to Jerusalem [Luke 9:51 - Luke 19:27]
• Jerusalem Ministry [Luke 19:28 - Luke 21:38]

The Passion and Death of Jesus [Luke 22:1ff]
The Resurrection [Luke 24:1ff]
The Ascension [Luke 24:50ff]
The Pentecost [Acts 2:1ff]


• The followers of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, journeys from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth
• Mission in Jerusalem [Acts 1:1 - Acts 5:42]
• Mission in Judea and Samaria [Acts 6:1 - Acts 12:25]
• Mission to the ends of the earth [Acts 13:1 - Acts 28:31]

note: outline from the Jerusalem Bible translation

The key passage of the gospel of Luke for this missionary program

After many post-Vatican II studies on the Scripture, Luke 4:16-30 was discovered as the key passage to understand the missionary program of Jesus in the gospel of Luke. These studies point out that key passage as a "programmatic text". It is a programmatic text, because it outlines the missionary program of Jesus ministry. One passage often highlighted as representative of the programmatic text is:


"The Spirit of the Lord has been given to Me, for He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord's year of favour. [Luke 4:18-19]


This proclamation made by Jesus at the synagogue of Jerusalem outlines His whole mission. If placed in the context of the missionary program outlined above, it clearly shows in detail what Jesus has done in His missionary journeys in the gospel of Luke.

Emphasis of Luke's gospel in the mission to the poor, the proclamation of blessing, and the Lord's favour

The whole of Jesus' mission in Galilee and Jerusalem was a mission for people in Jewish society who were poor and marginalized. Especially of note are the sick, the blind, and those souls captive to evil spirits. Luke's Jesus is portrayed as a man with compassion for the suffering and who experience distress. This is clearly evidenced in [Luke 6:36] - "Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate."

As Jesus prophetic mission to the poor and the oppressed in Galilee and Jerusalem endeared Him to the people. It is this following of His Father's will that led to His arrest and death on the Cross. But, after three days, He rose again by the power of the Holy Spirit. He appeared to His disciples, ascended into heaven, and then at Pentecost, sent the Holy Spirit to commission all His followers to continue His mission - a mission He began at Galilee and Jerusalem. Before His ascent into heaven, He told His disciples in [Acts 1:8]

"...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth." This is the key verse that outlines the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The followers of Jesus continued the mission of building God's Kingdom: first in Jerusalem, then in Judaea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth.