The Memorial of saints CORNELIUS and CYPRIAN

1 Tim. 2:1-8, Lk. 7:1-10. In today's first reading, Paul enjoins us to pray for those in authority. We need to pray for them as great power comes with great responsibility. We pray that God should direct those in authority aright, that they may wield their power responsibly and keep the well-being of their people in mind. They can affect the lives of their people, so we pray they are good and wise leaders and use their power well. While Paul proclaims the Gospel’s outreach to the world, the Roman Centurion shows how well prepared outsiders can be, to accept Gospel values. In today's Gospel, Jesus is accosted by a soldier, a centurion and asked to heal the man’s servant. A Centurion, not a Jew, not a Hebrew: an outsider. This man knows of Jesus and trusts in His healing power. 

Jesus replies that He will come right away to heal the sick man. The Centurion says to Him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” This man has faith in the Lord and His healing power and he has faith in the hierarchy of authority. The man says that the Lord need not come. He knows that distant is not a barrier to the healing power of God. The soldier knows that when he is given an order, he carries it out. He knows that when he gives an order to his servants his will is carried out. He knows that if Jesus says something, it will happen. Saints Cornelius ( - 253) and Cyprian (210 - 258) whose memorial we celebrate believed in the power of God and employed it in their Apostolate. Cornelius was made Bishop of the Church in Rome in the year 251. He fought against the Novatian schismatics and established his authority with the aid of Cyprian. He was born in Carthage and spent most of his life in the practice of the law. He steered the Church through troubled times, including the persecution of the emperor Decius, when he went into hiding so as to be able to continue looking after the Church.

May the Lord be with us in all our trials and may He never allow us to fall away from the right path! Amen!! Good morning, have a fruitful week!!!