St. Cosmas and St. Damian

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Saturday, 26 September 2026 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scripture we are reminded yet again of the need for each one of us as Christians to be always mindful and aware of what we all need to do in our lives, in doing the actions that are in accordance with God and His ways, obeying His will and commandments, and keeping in mind that each and every single things that we say and do, all these will be accountable to God on the Day of Judgment. And not only that, but in all the things that we are able to do and in the capacity of doing, but not doing because we neglect our responsibilities, we shall also be made accountable for them as well, for everything that we have failed to do when we are perfectly capable of doing them.

That was the gist of what we heard from the Book of Ecclesiastes or Qoheleth in our first reading today. We heard how the author reminded those who were young that they ought to keep those words in mind, reminding them that each and every one of their actions will be accountable to God. There is nothing that we do which will not be known or unveiled to God. The Lord knows everything in our hearts and minds, and He shall judge us all by everything He knows of us. We have been given the opportunities and the time to do the things that God has shown us, to be His faithful disciples and witnesses in the midst of our communities, in each and every chances and moments provided to us.

And we should not be ignorant of that calling to do something, to participate in the good works and efforts of the Church, in its various outreach and commissions, and not only that but also in our own individual capacities, even to the smallest and simplest things like living our lives worthily and faithfully in accordance to the Law and commandments of God. In a world where there are plenty of temptations for us to disobey God and to embrace the path of worldliness and sin, each one of us have been called to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and to follow Him, while knowing that this path that God has called us to walk in, may not be an easy or smooth one. There may be lots of hardships and challenges, but we must persevere and continue going on, with God by our side, guiding and strengthening us.

As we heard in our Gospel passage today, the Lord spoke to His disciples regarding Who He truly was, and what He was about to endure during the moments of His Passion, suffering and death. Back then, no one would have known or expected that the Lord would have suffered such a grievous fate. In fact, many among the followers of the Lord would have expected that He would lead them all into glory and victory against the Romans and other oppressors, and reestablish the kingdom of David, the kingdom of God’s people Israel. The coming of the Messiah was understood as a time of great glory and triumph, where the Lord would gather His people and give them the freedom and victory against their enemies.

But they had misunderstood the Lord’s intentions, and the Lord Himself told them that in truth, He, the Messiah, the Son of Man, just as the prophets themselves had predicted, particularly that of the prophet Isaiah, He would have to suffer grievously for the sake of His beloved ones. He would have to be rejected and oppressed, punished and tortured, scourged, beaten and spat upon for the sake of our salvation and liberation. And yet, knowing all that would happen to Him, and all the sufferings that He would have to endure, the Lord Jesus still obeyed His Father’s will perfectly and carried out everything to perfection, suffering and dying on His Cross at Calvary. Out of His ever enduring and amazing love, He willingly embraced His role in bringing forth our salvation.

Through that act of supreme love and sacrifice, the ultimate selfless expression of love, God has shown us first of all that He loves us in an infinitely wonderful way, and He has always cared for us all these times despite of our frequent disobedience and refusal to believe in Him. And not only that, but through His Son, the same Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the same suffering Son of Man, God showed us the perfect obedience and the perfect role model that His Son has done for us, so that we know that it truly means for us to be Christians. The Apostles and disciples of the Lord themselves followed His examples, remembering His new commandment and mandate at the Last Supper, that they ought to do whatever that their Lord and Master had done.

This is a reminder that each one of us following in the footsteps and examples of the Apostles and the innumerable saints, holy men and women of God, we have to listen to the Lord, obey His will, His Law and commandments, and do what He has called us to do and make good use of the time and opportunities that He has presented to us. We are all given many different and unique talents, opportunities and other things that can allow us to do so many great wonders, and we should realise that each one of us have this part to play as God’s people, to be active and committed in giving ourselves and our lives for the cause of the Lord at all times. This is what we should do instead of being distracted by the many temptations all around us, the temptations of power, wealth, worldly glory and many others.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of two great saints, St. Cosmas and St. Damian, whose faith and devotion to God, and whose actions and contributions to their fellow brothers and sisters, fellow faithful people of God, should inspire all of us to live our own lives faithfully and worthily of the Lord. St. Cosmas and St. Damian were known to be a pair of twin brothers who were both physicians, renowned for their care for the sick and the needy in their community, as they provided care for the physical ailments of the people, and gave the care for free to the poor and those who could not afford to be healed. Miracles were attributed to them, and many came to them seeking for help.

Their faith and dedication to God also became inspiration to many people, as they lived virtuously and with great dedication to God. And as they were arrested and persecuted by the local governor for being Christians, then being the height of the intense persecutions of Christians under the Diocletianic Persecution, they remained firm to their faith in God to the very end, as they gave up their lives in honouring God, in refusing to bend to the demands of the pagan authorities to obey the Emperor’s orders and to abandon their Lord, God and Master. They chose to live worthily and die in faith and obedience, showing every members of the Christian faithful what it truly means to be Christians.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, can we all therefore be inspired by these great examples as well, that each and every one of us should be great role models and inspirations ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters, in all of our lives, actions and deeds. Let us all be the bearers of the light of God to our fellow brethren, especially all those who have not known God and His love, His truth and Good News. Let us all do our very best to glorify God by our lives and actions, and be with Him, doing our part to serve Him all the days of our lives, as we should have done. Amen.

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Saturday, 26 September 2026 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Luke 9 : 43b-45

At that time, while all were amazed at everything Jesus did, He said to His disciples, “Listen, and remember what I tell you now : The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.” But the disciples did not understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what He meant, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

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Saturday, 26 September 2026 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Psalm 89 : 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17

You turn humans back to dust, saying, “Return, o mortals!” A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has passed, or like a watch in the night.

You sow them in their time, a dawn they peep out. In the morning they blossom, but the flower fades and withers in the evening.

So make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart. How long will You be angry, o YHVH? Have mercy on Your servant.

Fill us at daybreak with Your goodness, that we may be glad all our days. May the sweetness of YHVH be upon us; may He prosper the work of our hands.

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Saturday, 26 September 2026 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth) 11 : 9 – Ecclesiastes 12 : 8

Rejoice, young man, in your youth and direct well your heart when you are young; follow your desires and achieve your ambitions but recall that God will take account of all you do.

Drive sorrow from your heart and pain from your flesh, for youth and dark hair will not last. Be mindful of your Creator when you are young, before the time of sorrow comes when you have to say, “This gives me no pleasure,” and before the sun, moon and stars withdraw their light, before the clouds gather again after the rain.

On the day when the guardians of the house tremble, when sturdy men are bowed and those at the mill stop working because they are too few, when it grows dim for those looking through the windows, and the doors are shut and the noise of the mill grows faint, the sparrow stops chirping and the bird-song is silenced, when one fears the slopes and to walk is frightening;

Yet the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is fat and the caperberry bears fruit that serves no purpose, because man goes forward to his eternal home and mourners gather in the street, even before the silver chain is snapped or the golden globe is shattered, before the pitcher is broken at the fountain or the wheel at the mill, before the dust returns to the earth from which it came and the spirit returns to God Who gave it.

Meaningless! Meaningless! The teacher says; all is meaningless!

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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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Thursday, 26 September 2024 : 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 from the passages of the Sacred Scriptures we are all reminded of the reality of the impermanence of our earthly existence and worldly matters, of all the things we have and possess in this world, all the things that we often crave and desire for in this life. Each and every one of us are reminded that we should not spend so much effort and time in trying to gain all those things at the expense of our faith in the Lord and what we should and could have done as good and faithful Christians in each and every moments of our lives. We are all reminded that no matter how much we have gained and built up in the worldly treasures, glory and fame, among other things, none of these can truly satisfy and fulfil our needs, as we are in the end are bound to be disappointed unless we put our faith and trust in the Lord.

In our first reading today taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes or Qoheleth we heard the beginning of the discourse which we will hear for the next few days reminding us all that ultimately each and every one of us should put our faith and trust not in any worldly matters and things, but we must put our faith and trust in God, in His providence, love and grace, believing that through His help and strength, by the encouragement and the power which He has granted to us, we may truly find true satisfaction and the true path towards salvation and redemption in God, and not be swayed into the false paths of temporary and illusory pleasures, all of which were not true treasures and destinations that we all should be aiming for in life.

The author of the Book of Ecclesiastes pointed out that nothing in this world lasts forever, and no matter whatever achievements, greatness, fame and glory that we may attain and accumulate, all the monuments and great things that we have established, all of these eventually would fade away and be forgotten, just as the author have mentioned and just have history itself had shown us again and again, repeatedly. All those achievements, greatness and things eventually fade away and others replace them, and even many among the greatest figures in history had also faded away, and are no longer remembered besides the broken and faded remnants of statues, cities and ruins, all of which are yet again acute reminders for us of the impermanence of all the things of this world, and why we should not spend so much time in trying to accumulate for ourselves all these worldly greatness.

Then in our Gospel passage today, we heard from the Gospel according to St. Luke in which the short passage showing the astonishment of King Herod at the news of the Lord Jesus and His actions, which many among the Jewish people confused and thought to be the resurrection or return of St. John the Baptist from the dead, and which led to the amusement and surprise from Herod because it was by his actions that the man of God, St. John the Baptist had been put to death when he was imprisoned for criticising and rebuking the king and his unlawfully wedded wife, Herodias. St. John the Baptist was killed by the instigation of Herodias who trapped Herod into ordering the execution of the faithful man of God, and this act was a great sin that tainted and truly shook Herod.

Eventually, as we have heard, one of the reasons why Herod was truly astonished, troubled and amazed by what he had heard from the news of the activities of the Lord Jesus was because despite all of his wealth, glory, power, fame and all the things that he had achieved and gained, and despite having taken his own brother’s wife to be his own, which led him to sin in adultery, but all those things could not truly satisfy him, and in the end, he did not have any peace, and having killed a holy man of God, this blame would remain with him for the rest of his life. This is again another reminder for all of us not to seek any forms of worldly comforts and satisfaction, pleasures and joys, all of which can easily distract and sway us away from the true path towards God and His salvation.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the two great saints and martyrs, St. Cosmas and St. Damian. Both of them were renowned physicians that gained renown for their works among the people, healing many of the sick and caring for the needs of the less fortunate such that they did not charge the poor and those who were unable to afford their medical services. They showed us all exactly what the Scriptures today had told us, that each one of us should not put worldly pursuits and desires, such as for money and material wealth at the forefront of our lives. Instead, like the examples of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, all of us should be generous in loving others around us and in being kind to one another, especially to those who are in need. They were eventually martyred during the intense persecutions under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but their great generosity and courage in defending their faith in God lived on in many others inspired by their lives and examples.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we all have heard from the story of the lives and the dedication of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, and from what we have discussed earlier on regarding the futility and impermanence of all worldly matters and things around us, let us all strive hence to live our lives in a more godly and Christ-like manner, distancing ourselves from all the temptations and distractions, all of which can mislead and prevent us from truly finding our way to the Lord, to His salvation and grace. Each and every one of us are reminded that we must always be vigilant and careful lest these temptations drag us down into the slippery slope of sin, evil and bring us to our downfall and destruction.

May the Lord our most loving God and Father continue to help and strengthen us in each and every one of our journey through life, so that in all the things that we say and do, we will continue to glorify the Lord by our exemplary living and that we may continue to be encouraged to live our lives worthily at all times in His Holy and loving Presence, now and always, becoming great inspirations and examples for everyone around us. Amen.

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Thursday, 26 September 2024 : 25th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cosmas and St. Damian, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Luke 9 : 7-9

At that time, king Herod heard of all that Jesus and His disciples had done, and did not know what to think, for people said, “This is John, raised from the dead.”

Others believed that Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets, had come back to life. As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded. Who is this Man, about Whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see Him.