Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

In the 3rd century, the emperor Decius led a mass persecution of Christians. He forced all Roman citizens to worship Roman idols. Those who didn’t lose their property were imprisoned, and many were executed. Many Christians, however, renounced their faith. During this time, the bishops, including Cyprian, his friend from Africa, elected Cornelius to be Pope. You Church history buffs might recall this was also a time of Novatian, the “anti-pope.”

The controversy of the time had to do with the lapsi, those Christians who had renounced their faith, and whether or not to readmit them back into the Church. Pope Cornelius called a council and proposed that God’s mercy extended even to those “fallen away” Christians. Cyprian was in that camp preaching compassion over a rigorous approach. Novation preached “no mercy.” Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian convinced the council of Bishops to take a stand for mercy with penance. Both were martyred by Decius.

When Pope Francis invoked the image of a “field hospital” for the church, he made it very clear where he stood on compassion and mercy. He said in a homily in 2019, our God is a God of compassion, and compassion – we can say – is the weakness of God, but also His strength. He also said, A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just. He often reminded us that too often we participate in the globalization of indifference. (Pope Leo has made it clear that he will continue to speak out for the marginalized and migrants, call for peace around the world, and promote care for creation.)

May we, readers of these daily Eucharistic reflections, walk with a blameless heart and sing of God’s mercy and judgment (today’s psalm 101); and honor the two saints we remember today.

Let Us Pray:

Jesus, make my heart more like yours. (A short prayer Pope Francis’ grandmother taught him as a child)