Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened to the words of the Lord contained in the Sacred Scriptures, we are all reminded that we have to thank the Lord for everything that He has done for us, in showing His patient love and kindness towards us, in all that He has promised and reassured us all so that we can continue to follow Him faithfully and that we continue to live our lives in the manner that is worthy of Him, at all times and in all circumstances. We should live in the manner that God Himself has taught us, to be truly filled with love for Him and also for our fellow brothers and sisters around us, to be truly concerned for their well-being and for their good in all things, praying for each other and supporting one another.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, we heard of the moment when the Israelites, the first chosen people of God finally arrived in the land promised to them by the Lord Himself, the land of Canaan, promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For forty years or so, the Israelites had been forced to wander off in the wilderness for their disobedience and sins, their lack of faith and trust in God, and finally the time of waiting had come to an end, with the whole generation which had willingly disobeyed the Lord perished in the desert, and the new generations, their descendants took over the journey, finally entering the land of promise by crossing the River Jordan.

And we also heard of the story of how Moses passed away, as he was also not allowed to enter into the promised land on the account of his own disobedience when he was overcome with frustration against the stubbornness of the Israelites. But God did not reject or punish Moses unnecessarily, as He still allowed Moses to witness for himself the beauty and the wonders of the lands that he had been leading the Israelites towards, just as we heard how Moses passed away at Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, from where he could see the breadth of the lands that the Israelites themselves would be dwelling in, and therefore witnessed for himself the fulfilment of everything that God had planned wonderfully for His beloved ones, those whom He had called and chosen.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, we heard of the Lord Jesus telling His disciples and all those gathered to listen to Him regarding the matter of how they all ought to settle disagreements and disputes in the Church, by bringing the matter up to the assembly of the faithful. He also highlighted the importance of fraternal correction, of how we should point out another’s mistake in a kind way, not because we want to criticise the other person but rather because we are genuinely caring about that person’s well-being and attunement with God, that we should point out if one has been unfaithful in one’s way of life and path, and in danger of falling away from the way towards salvation in God.

This is yet another reminder for all of us to show genuine care and concern for everyone around us, even when we may disagree and have disputes between us. Having disagreements and disputes is not an excuse for us to be mean to those whom we are disagreeing and disputing with, and as Christians we are challenged to be rich in forgiveness and kindness to one another, to be magnanimous and understanding, patient and caring in all things. That is why today we are reminded of this so that we may always be filled with true Christian virtues and attitudes in all the things that we say and do, and not to be easily divided one against another because of our refusal to understand each other and work or cooperate in fruitful discussions and engagements.

As Christians, it is important that we should all seek to work with one another, to be harmonious and peaceful in our relationship with our fellow brothers and sisters, with everyone whom we encounter daily in life. We should not allow ourselves to be divided by our conflicting desires, ambitions and all the worldly attachments which may end up leading us to go against each other. And if we are divided against each other, it is easy for the evil ones to come and strike at us, which is the very reason why they are always very active in leading us one against another. That was what had caused strife and divisions among the Israelites during the time of their Exodus from Egypt and their journey in the desert, when their constant bickering, complaining and rebelliousness led even to Moses being frustrated and committing sin against God.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus, two renowned Roman martyrs during the intense persecutions of the Church in the turbulent years of the third century. Pope St. Pontian was leading the Church of God during difficult and turbulent times of the early middle third century when persecutions and divisions within the Church were facing the faithful. There was at that time also a serious division within the Church between those who took a rigid approach against those Christian faithful who had offered sacrifices to the pagan idols and gods, refusing them from returning back to the Church and to the Sacraments, and then those who were more lenient and willing to allow these lapsed Christians or those who have offered sacrifices to the pagan gods due to coercion to return after repentance.

St. Hippolytus were among those who were more rigid in their attitude in refusing to welcome back and reintegrate all those who have lapsed from the faith or offered sacrifices to the pagan gods, whether willingly or unwillingly. He was elected as an Antipope, or a rival Pope by the faction that champion this more rigid attitude, which was not in fact the true way and attitude that the Lord and His Apostles had taught and shown. Meanwhile, Pope St. Pontian was the leader of those who advocated a more lenient approach to welcoming those who have lapsed from their faith or committed grievous sins against God. Both factions bickered and were divided against each other even amidst those difficult moments when the Church and the Christian faithful were facing harsh persecutions from the Roman state.

Eventually, both Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus were reconciled with each other, as they resolved their differences and worked for the good of the Church, and when they were both arrested and exiled by the Roman government, Pope St. Pontian was the first Pope to voluntarily resign his position as Pope to allow the election of a new Pope to continue leading the Church through the turbulent times of persecutions and hardships, and with the cooperation from St. Hippolytus, that marked the beginning of the reconciliation and the healing of the rupture and divisions of the Church caused by the disagreements and disputes mentioned earlier. Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus themselves were eventually martyred in their exile.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have discussed earlier in our Scripture passages and as we have heard from the examples and inspirations of the actions of Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus, we are reminded that we should always seek harmony and peace amongst ourselves, to be always full of love, care and concern for everyone around us so that we may always seek unity and harmony among us, and not allowing ourselves to be divided by our worldly desires and ambitions, and by all sorts of things that can lead us further apart and divided from each other. May the Lord, our most loving God, continue to be with us and bless us and the Church, and strengthen our unity as one united body of believers, the Church of God. Amen.