Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bold defenders of Christianity during persecution. They contributed to Christian doctrine and unity

Bold defenders of Christianity during persecution. They contributed to Christian doctrine and unity
September 16th: Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Gospel text
Jn 17,11b-19
Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed, «¡Holy Father, keep them in your Name that you have given me».
Gospel's Commentary
Today we celebrate at the same time two saints of the primitive Church (s. III). St. Cornelius was one of the first popes. Its name means "strong as a horn." And so it was: a strong pope to defend the teaching of Jesus, especially with respect to the forgiveness of sins. A section of the Church, headed by Novatian, intended not to admit or forgive those who had faltered in the faith during persecutions (remember that Christ did not come to heal the healthy but the sick). Meanwhile, in Africa it was Bishop St. Cyprian who had to put peace in these discussions. Cyprian was severe but not inflexible with those who had "fallen" (leaving faith). "We need the Church!" St. Cyprian said: " No one can have God for his Father, who does not have the Church for his mother."

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