These two third century bishops and martyrs were very important in the survival of the Church in the time of the persecutions. Cornelius became reluctant 21st pope during this very dangerous time in church history. He worked very hard to maintain unity of believers in a time of schism and apostasy. He had the support of St. Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage. He welcomed back those who had apostatized during the persecution of Decius. He was exiled in 252 by Roman authorities, and later martyred. [A document from Cornelius, incidentally, shows the size of the Church in Rome in his papacy: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons and approximately 50,000 Christians].
Cyprian was born to wealthy
pagan parents, and had a formal education in his youth, but converted to the
faith in 246. He was ordained a priest in 247, and then named Bishop of
Carthage in 249. During the persecution of Decius, beginning in 250, he lived in
hiding, covertly ministering to his flock (but his enemies condemned his for
being a coward and not standing up for his faith). He became a great writer,
with influence, and agreed with Pope Cornelius that apostates should be
received warmly back into the church when they saw the error of their ways.
During the persecution of Valerian he was exiled in 257 and then brought back
to Carthage and martyred in 258.
The gospel passage today shows
us how Jesus foresaw all of the brave and heroic things his future apostles
would endure – and he prays not that they be spared, but that they be given the
strength to endure in his Name – to give credibility to the Power of that Name
– and the very truths of the faith that we profess. The Mystical Body of Christ
is real; it operates on spiritual principles; and it will see us through
anything and everything we do for love, for God, and for his people! Amen!
[Those who sow in tears, shall reap rejoicing.]
No comments:
Post a Comment