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August 7 | Celebration
Third Century
We become what we celebrate.
As Christians, as Catholics, as a Church, and as citizens, we should always take time to check and adjust the compass that guides us. To do this, we must ask ourselves soul-searching questions and courageously seek answers.
"What are we celebrating?" is one of those questions, because you can be certain that we are becoming whatever it is we are celebrating. We must ask this question of ourselves, of our Church, of our nation, and of our culture. And we would be wise to listen attentively to the answers, because these answers will utter prophetic truths about our future. We become what we celebrate.
Saint Sixtus II was celebrating Mass when he was arrested for a crime punishable by death: being a Christian. But that didn’t stop him from celebrating the faith up until the sentence was carried out.
Originally from Greece, Sixtus II brought with him a rich heritage of faith and philosophy that he masterfully applied to guide the Roman Christian community. His election as Pope occurred during the reign of Emperor Valerian, a time when Christians faced brutal persecution. Yet, Sixtus II's leadership was marked by a radiant celebration of Catholicism, emphasizing the joy of being in community and receiving the Eucharist together.
Sixtus II’s papacy culminated on August 6, 258, while he was celebrating Mass in the Catacomb of Callixtus. He had only been pope for a year. He refused to stop his celebration of the Mass, nor to give up his joy of the Catholic faith. He was put to death on the same day.
Saint Sixtus II celebrated the beauty and genius of Catholicism at all costs, even at the cost of his life.
Can the same be said of most Catholics today? What about young Catholics in particular?
When our children know more about social media stars than they do about Jesus Christ, isn't it time for us to reassess the place and priority our faith has in our lives? It is also time for us to develop innovative strategies and dynamic methods for communicating the faith to people of all ages, but particularly the young. Too often we adopt nineteenth-century solutions for twenty-first-century problems. Now is the time to explore new ways to communicate the Gospel, ways that demonstrate the genius and relevance of Catholicism to the modern lifestyle. Now is the time to celebrate our faith by living it in such a way that we capture the imagination and intrigue the hearts and minds of the people of our time.
We become what we celebrate. What are you celebrating?
WHAT AM I CELEBRATING? HOW MIGHT MY LIFE CHANGE IF I SAW MY FAITH AS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE?
I will celebrate Catholicism!
This reflection is brought to you from book title.
Feast Day: August 7
Feast Day Shared By: Saint Cajetan, Saint Donatus, and Saint Albert
Patron Saint of: Bellegra, Italy