Memorial of Saints (July 9)

Augustine Zhao Kong: was a Chinese diocesan priest who was martyred with his 119 companions in 1815 A.D. Among their number was an eighteen year old boy, Chi Zhuzi, who cried out to those who had just cut off his right arm and were preparing to flay him alive: "Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian."

also on July 9:

• Everild, virgin;
• The Martyrs of Gorkum: Nicholas Pieck, Jerome Weerden, Leonard Vechel, Nicholas Janssen, Godfrey van Duynen, John van Oosterwyk, John van Hoornaer, Adrian van Hilvarenbeek, James Lacops, Andrew Wouters, Antony van Willehad, and Nicasius van Heeze;
• Veronica Giuliani, virgin

The Martyrs of Gorkum were a group of missionaries who opposed the Calvinist forces that seized the town of Gorkum. These Calvinist forces were opposed to the Spanish rule. They seized these missionaries and subjected them to various indignities. Despite a letter from the prince of Orange ordering their release, they were hanged at deserted Ruggen Monastery on the outskirts of Briel on July 9, and their bodies were callously thrown into a ditch. They were all canonized in 1867 A.D.

Memorial of Saints (July 8)

Aquila and Prisca; Procopius, martyr; Kilian and Companions, martyrs; Withburga, virgin; Adrian III, pope; Grimbald; Sunniva and Companions; Raymund of Toulouse

Aquila (1st century A.D.) was a Jewish tentmaker. He and his wife Prisca left Rome when the Roman Emperor forbade Jews to live in Rome. Aquila and Prisca went to Corinth where they met St. Paul. Converted to the faith by St. Paul, they accompanied Paul in his mission to Ephesus. They eventually returned to Rome and made their house a church for the Christian community. Both Aquila and Prisca suffered martyrdom either in Asia Minor (according to the Roman Martyrology) or in Rome.

Procopius (d. 303 A.D.) was born at Jerusalem and became a lector, translator and exorcist when he moved to Bethsan. During the persecution of Christians under Diocletian, when he refused to sacrifice to the gods, he was beheaded. Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea called him "the Great" in the story written of him in his martyrdom.

14th Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from) 14th Sunday of the Year (B), July 8, 2012

Liturgical readings

Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6

"So much did their lack of faith distress Jesus."

In His public ministry, Jesus emphasized faith in His prophetic preaching. It is one of the themes of His proclamation at Galilee: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news." Believe in the good news! Jesus appeals to all who listen to Him to have faith in Him and the Kingdom. Not all responded in faith - as the gospel passage tells us. Those who did not respond in faith were His own countrymen. They were too familiar with Jesus' family background that they failed to see His divinity. It was this lack of faith that distressed Jesus not only in this instance, but during His entire public ministry.

Faith is a gift. And all the faithful are called to be thankful if they receive it. It helps all to know that God wills what is best for us. It also moves all to be good and to live virtuous lives in the eyes of both God and man. Furthermore, Jesus Himself says that anyone with faith can "move mountains". Faith that can move mountains begins in daily life. It means that despite all difficulties or doubts experienced, there is a knowledge that upon fulfilling the duties of one's state, will someday bring the reward God promises to us in this life and at the end. Though we do not see end, faith gives the eyes to have a glimpse of it (in prayer, the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the events that unfold in our lives).

Faith can indeed move mountains. But we don't need this degree of faith everyday. The daily miracles of faith are those times that we continue to hang on in doing the good that we ought to do, even when the environment around us isn't. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is our inspiration in this. She said, paraphrasing in a few words, "if others are bad, be good just the same". And St. Paul too can inspire all to always act in good faith: "The trials we have had to bear in our lives are no more than people normally have; we can trust God not to let us be tried beyond our strength; and with any trial He will give us a way out of it and the strength to bear it." (1 Cor 10:11-13).