Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Agnes of Rome. Personally, I did not have a strong devotion to St. Agnes, maybe because of the wrong reason. During my pastoral year, I served in a parish named after St. Agnes. The assignment turned out to be a poor fit for me and I felt that I was treated unfairly by the then elderly pastor and some of his staff. Because of my poor experience in St. Agnes parish, I also felt in some way that St. Agnes did not intercede for me. Fast forward after my pastoral year assignment. My Provincial Superior missioned me to Rome. In the eternal city, I found myself hard to escape from St. Agnes. Whenever I passed through Piazza Navona, I had to see Chiesa di Sant’Agense in Agone, where St. Agnes’ skull is preserved. When I visited some Ursuline sisters in Via Nomentana in Rome, I also had to pass through the Catacomb of St. Agnes in Via Nomentana, 349.
As I walked through the streets of Rome, I realized that St. Agnes had been praying for me and will continue to pray for me. She has strengthened in my trial in the parish after her name, and she continued to intercede for me during my transition in the Eternal City. The lesson from the life and martyrdom of St. Agnes for me is that the most important thing is a relationship with God. This is also the theme in the Gospel reading today in the debate between Jesus and Pharisees over the Sabbath. Jesus did not oppose Sabbath regulation, but He clarified the purpose of Sabbath regulation, which is to draw us closer to God. So, when Jesus said that the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath, He indicated that He has authority to interpret the Torah. Considering His union with God, He can point out God's will through the Sabbath. Similarly, I might have to undergo some trials and difficulties in my life and ministry, but during those times of trial, I should not lose sight of the fact that the most important thing is my personal relationship with Christ.