STs. GONSALO GARCIA, PAUL MIKI & COMP. Mm. --Memorial
READINGS:
1 R : 1 Kgs 2 : 1 - 4, 10 - 12
Ps 1 CHR 29 : 10, 11 ab, 11 d - 12 a , 12 bcd.
Gos : MK 6 : 7 - 13.
WE SPECIALLY REMEMBER THE JAPANESE MARTYRS------ 3 JESUITS, 6 FRANCISCANS AND 17 JAPANESE LAY PEOPLE.
THEY WERE MARTYRED IN THE YEAR 1597, ON FIFTH FEBRUARY.
GONSALO GARCIA WAS A NATIVE OF BASSEIN, BOMBAY.
MEMORIES OF MARTYRS ON THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS SHOULD ENLIVEN OUR FAITH AND SPUR US ON TO LIVE THE EVANGELICAL IDEALS.
IN THE GOSPEL, WE READ ABOUT JESUS SENDING THE APOSTLES IN TWO BY TWO.
THEY ARE TO TRUST GOD ALONE IN THEIR MINISTRY.
THEIR WATCH WORDS ARE TO BE SALVATION AND ITS MANIFESTATION IS HEALING AND DRIVING OUT DEMONS.
DO I REMEMBER THAT, I TOO AM SENT TO PROCLAIM SALVATION ?
AM I PROCLAIMING ONLY IN WORDS ?
DO I MANIFEST THE CATHOLIC ACTION ? --HEALING, SERVING, DRIVING OUT EVIL INFLUENCES AND BRINGING ABOUT GOODNESS --
IN THE FIRST READING WE HAVE KING DAVID ACCEPTING EARTHLY DEATH AS SOMETHING NORMAL.
DO I REMEMBER THAT DEATH IS A FACT OF LIFE ?
THEN ALONE I CAN APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AFTER LIFE, RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
