Reflection for Friday, February 5, 2010: 4th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Rouse, Maryanne
Issue Date
2010-02-05
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Essay
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en_US
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In her words: "You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am-you alone."||The Church commemorates St. Agatha today. According to legend, St. Agatha lived and died in Sicily in the Third Century. Having pledged herself to God, she spurned the advances of a lesser public official, though he had enough power to see that she was sent to a brothel. When that did not result in her renunciation of God and embrace of him, he sent her to prison where she was subjected to a series of tortures, among them the removal of her breasts. St. Peter appeared, however, and healed her. It appears that this sequence of events has merited her being named a special intercessor for breast maladies, cancer and the like.|Because she was credited with quieting the eruption of Mount Etna, she is asked for protection against fire. She is one of a few saints named in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.|Agatha has many characteristics with which it is difficult for us to identify. For example: Different century; different country; different language; as a married person, a different commitment to God.|And yet ... |As I reflect on her story, I find myself asking: What is it I hold sacred enough to suffer and yes even die for? Family, friends, and beliefs, I hope. How do I choose to play out that valuing in my life? Or, ouch! Does it appear that I am more committed to some of the things I own? My "place" in the world? Someone's opinion of me? My reputation?|The two readings for today bring forth two examples, John the Baptist's of faith upheld, and David's of betrayal with a later turning back to God.|Today's invitation may be to a truthful pondering: What is our treasure? What's so precious that I cannot imagine being without it? Where do our lives demonstrate our commitments? And if we don't like the answer, what am I willing to do about it?
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 327