Today we celebrate the feast of St. Callistus, Pope and Martyr. He lived in the late 100's and early 200's. He was reputed to have been a slave. Once he obtained his liberty he was ordained a deacon by Pope Zephrinuis and succeeded him in the Chair of St. Peter. He was a kind a merciful pastor who also fought against the Adoptionist and Modalist heresies: those who said on the one hand: Jesus was not born divine, but later became divine (was adopted such by God); and God is One Person who manifests himself in three ways or modes: Father, Son and Spirit.
He received the martyr's crown in 222 and was buried on the Aurelian way.
The readings today give evidence of the kind of priesthood that Callistus lived: one of loving pastoral concern for the flock of God – it was a ministry of service based on the example of Jesus himself.
Today we are called to believe in the orthodox and true doctrines of the Church. We are called upon to know them and to defend them in a time when heresy is still present and the unity of the Church has not yet been achieved. We give ourselves to you, Lord, this day and ask you to do with us what you will – to bring about your end, your will, your way!
I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me!
No comments:
Post a Comment