Thursday, September 16, 2010

Homily – September 16, 2010 – Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

+ Today we celebrate the feast of two third century bishops and martyrs: Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian. Cornelius was reluctantly elected 21st pope at a time when papal ascension was a quick death sentence: the Roman persecutions were still going on in full force. This was also a time of schism and apostasy. Novatian even went so far as to set himself up as anti-pope. But he called a synod of bishops to confirm himself as rightful pontiff. He had the support of St. Cyprian of Carthage. Cornelius welcomed back those who had apostasized during the persecution of Decius (without having to rebaptize them – which was another bone of contention at the time). Cornelius was finally exiled in 252 by Roman authorities to punish Christians in general who were said to have provoked the gods to send plague against Rome. He was martyred in 253. Interestingly, a document from Cornelius shows the size of the Church in Rome during his papacy: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons and approximately 50,000 Christians.

St. Cyprian, who supported St. Cornelius, was born to wealthy pagan parents, taught rhetoric and literature and became an adult convert in 246. He was ordained a priest in 247 and Bishop of Carthage in 249. As a writer he was second only in importance to Tertullian as a Latin Father of the Church. He was involved in the great argument about if and how apostates were to be readmitted to the Church. He believed, as Pope Cornelius did, that they should be, but under stringent conditions – and without having to be rebaptized. During the persecutions of Valerian he was exiled in 257, brought back to Carthage and then martyred in 258. Both he and Cornelius are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

Both Cornelius and Cyprian are examples of very close friends of Jesus – successors to the Apostles – who, knowing they were consecrated in the truth – spared no part of their lives or ministries in proclaiming and defending that truth – even to the point of giving their own lives in witness to it! And they were greatly rewarded with the martyr's crown! The first reading tells how they, like us, hold the treasures of the Gospel in earthen vessels, in human bodies which enables the surpassing power of God to shine forth from them. We thank Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian today for allowing themselves to be such vessels – and we pledge to the Lord our willingness to do the same – with his help, with his grace and with his love!

Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction.

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