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Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs

July 9th, 2010

“My daughter has just died, but come, lay your hand on her and she will live.”
Mt 9:18

Jairus was the president of the local synagogue and had, as such, power and authority over others. However, when his only daughter of only twelve years old died, he realised that all his power could do nothing to save her. Throwing himself on his knees before Jesus he begged him to lay his hands on her and she would be healed. Jesus did as Jairus requested and the little girl was restored to her family, alive and well.

There are many parents today concerned about the welfare of their children—runaways, abused, bullied or suffering from an incurable illness. Trying to find a solution to their problems themselves, they often lapse into despair until they realise that the answer to their problems is to be found at the feet of Jesus. They must seek him out, come to him, kneel at his feet and plead with him as Jairus did.

Prayer


Prayer Lord, we pray for all parents who are grieving for their children. May they find hope and peace in your presence.

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Just a Thought

The Eucharist

The manner in which we celebrate Eucharist and the reverence we give to it speak greatly of the sort of people we are. The following is a lovely story from the early Church which I came across recently: it might help us to understand what it means to be a member of the Church:

Cyprian of Cathage, wrote to his friend, Donatus: “It’s a bad world, Donatus, in which we live. But right in the middle of it I have discovered a quiet and holy group of people. They are people who have found a happiness that is a thousand times more joyful than all the pleasures of our sinful lives. These people are despised and persecuted, but it doesn’t matter to them. They are Christians, Donatus, and I am one of them.”

St. Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, describes how those people, the early Christians, bore witness to Christ and celebrated the Eucharist – i.e. the Mass; “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions;… There was not a needy person among them…. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes…”

The Eucharist has consequences for the way we should live our lives. St. Augustine tells us that the Lord gave us these gifts of his Body and Blood so that we, too, might become these very things – i.e. his Body and Blood for the life of the world.

During the celebration of the Last Supper Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you also should do what I have done to you.” Through us Christ is made present to our world. Our sharing in the Eucharist bonds us together with our brothers and sisters who have also been immersed into the life of Christ through the waters of Baptism.

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