Friday of The 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 5th February, 2021, The Memorial of St. Agatha

 Friday of The 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 5th February, 2021,

The Memorial of St. Agatha

Readings: Heb. 13:1-8, Ps.26, Mark 6:14-29

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

STAND FOR THE TRUTH AND DO NOT MAKE UNWISE PROMISES OUT OF PRIDE

Lucky Dube in one of his album said that he who stands for the truth will always stand alone. This is the case with John the Baptist whose head was the prize for the truth he told to Herod and Herodias as we read in the Gospel passage today. This terrible crime, which points at what is done to Jesus in his Passion, demonstrates how good people, especially when they struggle for justice, are condemned to suffer in the hand of greed and powerful people who become very cruel and as a result the innocent suffer.

 

The root of the whole problem is that king Herod made unwise promise out of pride, but finds it difficult to change his mind and admit that he was wrong. He did not plan to execute John that night. He was persuaded by Herodias to do so, because he was a weak man. He is a slave to the opinion of others, he feared the people who revered John; he also fears the reaction of his guests if he should retracts his oath. Thus, the head of the innocent, who was in prison for speaking the truth was sacrificed just like St. Agatha of Sicily, whose memorial we celebrate today.

Agatha, who from her very early years was notably beautiful. However because of her love for Jesus, she dedicated her life to God. She became a consecrated virgin. But this did not stop men from desiring her. One of the men who desired Agatha was Quintianus, and because he was of a high diplomatic ranking, thought he could force her to turn away from her vow and force her to marry. His persistent proposals were consistently turned down by Agatha. 

So Quintianus, knowing she was a Christian during the persecution of Decius, had her arrested and brought before the judge. Too bad for Agatha, because, Quintianus was also the Judge. Hence, he sentenced Agatha to prison in a brothel to see if she will change her mind. But noticing that Agatha was enduring all the torture with a sense of cheer, he commanded she be subjected to a worse form of torture, he ordered that her breasts be cut off.  

In the midst of this torture, Agatha in prayer said: Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil. For you have ever protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of this world, and given me patience to suffer, and when she could not bear the torture anymore, she prayed for courage saying receive now my soul. With tears falling from her eyes she died a virgin and martyr. Today she is the patron saint of Sicily, breast cancer patients, rape victims, wet nurses and a powerful intercessor for people who suffer from fire outbreaks.

Dear friends, how far can we stand for the truth we professed or Like Herod, how often do we make unwise promises out of pride? When we make bad decisions, how quick are we able to change our mind, to admit that we are wrong. If today we happen to be one of the Herod’s guests, what would have been our reaction? Will I have protested or stayed silent? So how do we react, when we see others suffering injustice? 

 Perhaps, today we can think of the all the victims of truth in our societies, the vulnerable, the innocent in our society and all those who are exploited and used to achieve the ends of others. These ugly events in our society, how are we confronting them? Do we have the courage to speak up or protest, even at cost of our head and our lives? 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace to stand for the truth and help us never to make unwise promises. And through the intercessions of St. Agatha, direct our intentions and guide our words so that we may grow in compassion for the innocent victims in our families, societies, country and the world at large, through Christ our Lord. Amen.  God bless you.