Roman martyrs

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Friday, 26 September 2025 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures, we are reminded that we should always put our trust and faith in the Lord, in all the things that we have committed to Him in life, in every aspects and parts of our lives. We must also not think that our lives will be smooth sailing and easy if we are to follow the Lord faithfully and if we walk in His path, but what we can be assured of is the fact and reality that the Lord Himself will always be with us, journeying and walking with us in our paths towards Him. We should not be afraid but we should instead be renewed and strengthened in our faith and conviction, knowing that God will never abandon those who are truly beloved and dear to Him, and if we continue to hold on to faith and hope in Him, we will never be disappointed.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Haggai in which we continue to hear about the the words of the Lord directed to the leaders of the people of Israel in Judah, consisting of the leader of the House of David, Zerubbabel who was also the Governor of Judah, the High Priest and others, reminding them of the Lord’s will and the obligation they had in reestablishing the Temple of God in Jerusalem, after they had rebuilt the city and settled in nicely back in their homeland. King Cyrus of Persia and his successors had allowed the Israelites to return to their homeland and to resume their worship of their Lord and God, something which the Babylonians had not allowed them to do, and which they had been oppressed for decades and suffered for.

The Israelites had been humiliated, faced great sufferings and challenges in their exile in Babylon and those distant lands, uprooted from their ancestral lands and made to be a nation without a home and having had their city of Jerusalem and its once glorious Temple, the one built by King Solomon for God, destroyed, ransacked and plundered. And at that time, since the Lord had finally led His people back to their homeland, and restored their dignity and status, their blessings and grace, it was time for them all to rebuild the House of God, the place of worship where the Israelites ought to centre their attention, focus and their whole lives upon. That Temple at the time was the place where God’s Holy Presence descended and dwelled among His people.

However, as mentioned by the prophet Haggai, the leaders of the people delayed and tarried in not hurrying to rebuild the Temple of God despite having the means and the resources to do so. The prophet Haggai told those leaders of the people that they must not indulge themselves with pleasures while the people of God was without the House and Temple of God’s Holy Presence where they could worship Him and focus their attention to Him in their lives. And the Lord also reassured them all that if they were to carry out this mission, they would be blessed and strengthened by God, and He would restore the glory of Israel, the joy and happiness that they would enjoy once again with their Lord and Master being by their side.

Then from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard of the exchange and conversation between the Lord and His disciples in which He asked them about His identity, and what the people said Who He truly was, and they then said all those things which the people said, that He was one of the Prophets, or a great Teacher of God, but St. Peter, the one who led the Twelve and the other disciples courageously said before the whole assembly of the disciples that the Lord Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God Who had been sent into the world, to be the One to redeem and free all the people of God from the tyranny and domination of sin and darkness, the One Who had been promised for many ages, and been long awaited by the people.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have heard ourselves from this Gospel passage today, we are reminded of God Who is always ever present among His beloved ones, His holy people, just as He has constantly shown to us all mankind throughout our whole history and existence. God has always been with His people, ever since He led them all out of the land of Egypt, journeying with them and staying with them in the Ark of the Covenant, which then resided at the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And afterwards, when the Temple was rebuilt once again in Jerusalem, God renewed His assurance and presence, and then, made His Presence amongst us most tangible as He came Himself in the flesh, in the Person of His own Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the One sent to be our Saviour.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, two martyrs who were twin brothers and renowned physicians in the region of Asia Minor, where they were well-known for their dedication to the people there, who came to seek them for help with their various physical maladies. They also helped minister to the people of God spiritually, and were courageous in their faith in God as always. At that time, the Roman Emperor Diocletian and his fellow Co-Emperors enacted a very harsh campaign of persecution against Christians throughout the Roman Empire, and as a result, many of the faithful were persecuted and martyred, and this included that of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, who were arrested and tortured, before finally martyred for their faith. But their courageous faith and dedication to God, their piety and worthy lives still inspired countless others throughout the history of the Church till this very day.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore be inspired by the good examples of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, and everything that they had done for the sake of the Lord and His people, their courageous faith and martyrdom, in defending their faith in Him. Let us also remember our responsibilities as Christians to walk ever more faithfully in God’s Presence and to be good role models and examples for one another. May the Lord continue to help and guide us all in our respective journeys in life so that we may always inspire others in each and every moments of our lives, even in the smallest things that we do, now and always. Amen.

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Friday, 26 September 2025 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Luke 9 : 18-22

At that time, one day, when Jesus was praying alone, not far from His disciples, He asked them, “What do people say about Me?” And they answered, “Some say, that You are John the Baptist; others say, that You are Elijah; and still others, that You are one of the Prophets of old, risen from the dead.”

Again Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. And He added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the teachers of the Law, and be put to death. Then after three days He will be raised to life.”

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Friday, 26 September 2025 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Psalm 42 : 1, 2, 3, 4

Make justice, o God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; deliver me from the wicked and deceitful.

You are my God, my Stronghold, why have You cast me out? Why should I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

Send forth Your light and Your truth; let them be my guide, let them take me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You reside.

Then will I go to the Altar of God, to God, my gladness and delight. I will praise You with the lyre an harp, o God, my God.

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Friday, 26 September 2025 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Haggai 1 : 15b – Haggai 2 : 9

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, of the second year of the reign of Darius, this word of YHVH was sent through the prophet Haggai, “Give this message to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the High Priest, and to all the people : Is there left among you one of those who saw this House long ago, in the time of its glory? What do they think, of what they see now? Is it not a very little thing?”

“But I say to you, Zerubbabel, Joshua and My people : do not be discouraged. Begin to work, for I am with you, says YHVH. Do not be afraid, for My Spirit is in your midst. Thus says YHVH of hosts, within a short while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the continents. Then I will shake all the nations; and bring in the treasures of the whole world.”

“I will fill this House with glory, says YHVH. I will have as much silver and gold as I wish. The renown of this Temple will be greater than before, and in this place I will give peace,” says YHVH of hosts.

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Friday, 19 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures, each and every one of us as Christians, as those whom God had called and chosen, are reminded that we have the important role in living our lives actively, courageously and intentionally for the glorification of God, in living our lives faithfully and in showing the same love which God has shown to each and every one of us, and not instead bringing about scandals and divisions within the Church because of our own actions and ambitions, all the things which we may have done which can harm the unity of the Church and the salvation of souls. All of us should always strive to live our lives worthily in the manner that God Himself has shown us so that we may lead more and more people towards Him.

In our first reading today, we continued to listen to the words from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to his protege, St. Timothy in which he exhorted him to continue to be faithful to the Lord at all times. St. Paul encouraged St. Timothy and indirectly all of us, God’s faithful people to continue to live our lives virtuously in the best way possible, doing our best to be good role models for everyone around us. He contrasted this to the attitudes of those who did not profess or teach in the same manner as the Apostles themselves had taught, those who have proclaimed the false message and ideas that do not align with what the Lord Himself has revealed and shown to us through His Church, His disciples and messengers. And we are reminded that we should not do this ourselves, and we have to be ever faithful in everything that we do in life.

St. Paul also spoke of how those false teachers and preachers were steeped in worldliness, in seeking to pervert the truth of God, engaging in controversies and conflicts, ambitions of the world, seeking for worldly glory and financial gain amongst others. These were the behaviours often exhibited by the Pharisees and the elders of the community, as well as some other false teachers such as one Simon the Magus as shown in the Acts of the Apostles. Many of these put their own selfish interests, ambitions and desires as their primary aims in life, and instead of serving God as they should have done. And those who seek worldly ambitions and glory will end up ruining themselves in the long run, and which was why the Apostle reminded St. Timothy and by extension, all the other Christian leaders and also all of us as Christians that we should not follow the same path as well.

Instead, as Christians, each and every one of us need to live our lives virtuously and in the manner that the Lord Himself has shown and taught us. We have to be the good role models and examples for one another so that in everything that we say and do, we will always inspire many others around us to walk down the same path of righteousness and faith, in doing what is right and just in the sight of the Lord and to help everyone around us to come to know the Lord, His truth and salvation, showing them all the true love of God manifested in our own lives, in each and every one of our actions, words and deeds. This is what we all have been called to do as Christians, as those whom the Lord Himself has called and chosen to be His own holy and beloved people.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard from the account of that Gospel regarding all the women who have followed the Lord Jesus in His ministry to the people of God, all those women both mentioned and unmentioned in their various roles as the followers and friends of the Lord. They spent and dedicated their time and efforts to support the Lord and His ministry, travelling around with Him and providing the needs of the Lord and His other disciples. These holy women were often not highlighted and well discussed in the hagiographies and in the accounts of the lives of the saints, but what they had done for the sake of the Lord, the efforts that they made and everything they committed to the Lord, all of those should indeed inspire us to do ever better in living our lives with faith in Him.

They humbly followed the Lord and listened to Him, quietly working behind the scenes and made use of their own means, funds and other efforts to support the good works of the Lord, and this is what we should be doing as well in our own lives. Each and every one of us are expected to follow their examples in being humble and selfless in doing our works and missions as Christians, as those whom God had called and chosen, so that by our daily actions, examples and courageous faith, we will inspire many others to follow in our paths in life leading towards God, and hence, we will help to lead so many others towards Him and that is what God has wanted us all to do in each and every moments of our lives, through the opportunities that He has provided to us.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of St. Januarius, who was the Bishop of Naples in the time of the Roman Empire, when the Church and the faithful people of God were persecuted for their faith. St. Januarius according to tradition was born in Benevento in southern Italy to a rich Roman patrician family and he joined the priesthood from a relatively young age, and eventually becoming the Bishop of Naples, leading the Christian faithful in that region. All these happened during the middle of the third century, when the Roman Empire was undergoing lots of internal upheavals and problems, and then afterwards, with the rise of the Roman Emperor Diocletian to power, the latter launched a large campaign of intense persecutions against Christians, leading to the deaths and martyrdom of many among the people of God, including St. Januarius himself.

While not much was known about his martyrdom in detail, according to the accounts of the hagiographies or the stories about the saints, St. Januarius helped to hide Christians who were persecuted and at the same time also visiting secretly those who had been arrested for their faith. And amidst one of those visits, he was arrested by the authorities and he was eventually beheaded after several miraculous occasions that prevented him from being martyred. Nonetheless, the great faith and dedication which St. Januarius had shown became great inspiration for many of the faithful throughout the region and elsewhere even to this day, when the relic containing his blood miraculously liquifies during certain times including that of today, his feast day, and many devoted themselves to God through this holy servant of God.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, having discerned the messages of the Sacred Scriptures and having looked through the great examples shown by St. Januarius in his great faith and dedication to God, are we all willing to follow in his footsteps, and in the path set before us by the many other disciples of the Lord who had gone before us? Each and every one of us can do many great things in our own lives, in living our lives ever more faithfully so that by our good examples and faith, many more people will come to believe in God. May the Lord be with us always, and may He strengthen each and every one of us always, in our determination to live our lives worthily in His Presence, now and always. Amen.

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Friday, 19 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Luke 8 : 1-3

At that time, Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the Good News of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed Him, and also some women, who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases : Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Suzanna; and others, who provided for them out of their own funds.

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Friday, 19 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Psalm 48 : 6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20

Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers ring me round – those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

For no ransom avails for one’s life; there is no price one can give to God for it. For redeeming one’s life demands too high a price, and all is lost forever. Who can remain forever alive and never see the grave?

Fear not, when someone grows rich, when his power becomes oppressively great; for nothing will he take when he dies; his wealth and pomp he will leave behind.

Though he praised himself in his lifetime, “All will say that I have enjoyed life,” he will join the generation of his forebears, who will never again see the light.

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Friday, 19 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

1 Timothy 6 : 2c-12

Teach and stress these things. Whoever teaches in some other way, not following the sound teaching of our Lord Christ Jesus, and true religious instruction, is conceited, and understands nothing. This one is crazy about controversies and discussions, that result in envy, insults, blows and constant arguments between people of depraved minds, and far from the truth. For them, religion is merely for financial gain.

In reality, religion is a treasure, if we are content with what we have. We brought nothing into the world and we will leave it with nothing. Let us, then, be content with having food and clothing. Those who strive to be rich fall into temptations and traps. A lot of foolish and harmful ambitions plunge them into ruin and destruction.

Indeed, the love of money is the root of every evil. Because of this greed, some have wondered away from the faith, bringing on themselves afflictions of every kind. But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life, to which you were called, when you made the good profession of faith, in the presence of so many witnesses.

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Wednesday, 13 August 2025 : 19th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Pontian, Pope and Martyr, and St. Hippolytus, Priest and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

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.

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Wednesday, 13 August 2025 : 19th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Pontian, Pope and Martyr, and St. Hippolytus, Priest and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Matthew 18 : 15-20

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “If your brother has sinned against you, go and point out the fault to him, when the two of you are alone; and if he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembled Church. But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard him as a pagan, or a tax collector. I say to you : whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound; and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will keep unbound.”

“In like manner, I say to you, if, on earth, two of you agree in asking for anything, it will be granted to you by My heavenly Father; for where two or there are gathered in My Name, I am there, among them.”