Homily, 2-5-24; Feast of St. Agatha:
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Agatha, a virgin and martyr, who lived way back in the 3rd century. I chose to use the optional readings for her feast because they fit so well with her life and help to inspire us to be courageous and willing to suffer for our faith.
St. Agatha was born into a wealthy and noble family and was extremely beautiful. At an early age she became a consecrated virgin and dedicated her life to prayer and service. She prayed: “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.” But because of her beauty and favorable family disposition, a high ranking diplomatic officer, Quintianus, pursued her for his wife. But when she spurned his advances, he had her arrested as part of the Christian persecution taking place at the time. He first had her imprisoned in a bordello hoping to break down her Christian morality. When that didn’t work she was put in a regular prison where she was subjected to horrific tortures that resulted in terrific wounds. She was returned to her cell where it was thought that she would die as a result of her injuries. But St. Peter visited her that night and miraculously healed her wounds. The miraculous cure did not dissuade Quintianus, and after four days she was subjected to additional torture. It was then, at about the age of 20, she prayed: “Lord, my Creator, you have ever protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world, and given me patience to suffer: receive now my soul.” And then she died.
Agatha loved Jesus more than the world, more than her own life. He gave her the strength and the patience and the courage to accept suffering. He didn’t take the suffering away from her. Agatha lived the words that we heard from Jesus this morning: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” She took up her cross.
She won the martyr’s crown and is now with Christ, triumphant in Heaven. We pray for her intercession that, if tested, we will have the wisdom, humility, and strength to deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily; to be willing even to give up our lives to save our souls.