WEDNESDAY 29TH APRIL 2020
MEMORIAL OF ST. CATHERINE OF
SIENA, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Third week of Easter
Acts 8:1-8, John 6:35-40
I once visited an old friend of
mine who was in prison for a crime he never committed as it was later
discovered. What baffled me when I saw him in prison, was the calmness and
positive mind with which he stayed there. Other inmates spoke so highly of him
that he is a very religious man. He led them at prayers in the morning and
evening, and he read the bible to others and try to explain it to them. Asking
him how he was able to still preach the word of God and practice his faith in
that situation, he said that God knew that he was there, and had sent him there
for a purpose.
This is the situation I see with
the early Christians and Apostles. Sometimes, tough moments come our way, but
they are geared towards a greater good. The scribes and pharisees have started
a fierce persecution of the early Christians who entered every street corner to
preach the word of God to all who cared to listen. With this came persecution
as we see in the lynching of Stephen in the first reading of yesterday. The
persecution of the Christians made many of them to run to different parts of
the world. With this, they carried the gospel and the church with them, just as
my friend carried the gospel to the prison. Therefore, the Church which was
only in Jerusalem, now entered different parts of the world. Every ugly
situation we find ourselves is a very good opportunity to witness to the faith.
God works in mysterious ways and he will never abandon those who hope and trust
in him.
St Catherine of Siena who we
celebrate today is a very good example of one who was concerned with the smooth
running and spreading of the Church of Christ. Seeking perfection, she entered
the Third Order of the Dominicans when she was still in her teens. In 1370 she
was commanded by a vision to leave her secluded life and enter the public life
of the world. She wrote letters to many major public figures and carried on a
long correspondence with Pope Gregory XI, urging him to reform the clergy and
the administration of the Papal States. She burned with the love of God and her
neighbour. As an ambassador she brought peace and harmony between cities. She
fought hard to defend the liberty and rights of the Popes and did much for the
renewal of religious life. She died on 29 April 1380. In 1970 Pope Paul VI
declared her a Doctor of the Church. This zeal we are called to carry with us
daily. Turn the ugly and unpleasant situations and persecution around you into
an opportunity to evangelise today. God help us. Amen
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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