Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - Tuesday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 12:1-4 and Mark 5:21-43]In your struggle against sin you have not resisted to the point of shedding blood. [Hebrews]
FEBRUARY 5 ST, AGATHA, virgin and martyr
These words from the end of the first scripture today from the Letter to the Hebrews are very apt for the feast of a martyr! They are a reminder that our faith has been important enough to many that it was worth their very life. When I was in grade school, we were occasionally given little pamphlets with rather dramatic drawings of martyrs suffering from various torments. There may have been a few of great fervor in the class who could imagine suffering that way. I cannot say I was one of them! This first scripture begins with the words, "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us ride ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus...." Saints like Agatha had to do that to stay faithful in the face of lethal challenge. She is part of our cloud of witnesses. Can we remain faitheful in the face of the challenges that our society presents? AMEN