Memorial of St. Agnes
Scripture:
Reflection:
Today is the feast of St. Agnes, a popular (twelve- or thirteen-year-old) early Roman persecution martyr. Her life has been celebrated on this day since the fourth century. St. Agnes is often pictured with a lamb because of the Latin word for lamb is agnus.
She is a reminder of innocence, sacrifice, and her willingness to witness what is right
and just. The Passionists have St. Agnes Parish Church in Louisville, Kentucky. (Living with Christ, January 2025, p.152)
In the Gospel Jesus states: “The Sabbath was made for humankind”. The Pharisees have taken the two great commandments: (Love God and love your neighbor) and made them into 612 regulations which focused on following the rules rather than meeting human need especially healing on the Sabbath.
The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat which means “to stop or to cease”. The
book of Genesis cites that God stopped creating and rested on the seventh day. Sabbath actually means to stop and, therefore, remember God. From this perspective, the Sabbath is not just a day off or a day of the week. Rather, the purpose of our stopping and resting is to look back and give thanks for all that God has done in our lives. Sabbath is not something we do once a week on Saturday or Sunday. Sabbath moments are when we stop for a few minutes and remember God’s care and love for us. Sabbath Moments should be taken every single day of our lives.
(Mark 2:23-28 – What is The Sabbath? by diviadmin | May 25, 2021 | Mark | St. Andrew’s Enfield https://www.standrewsenfield.com/2021/05/25/mark-223-28-what-is-the-sabbath)
If we would practice Sabbath Moments daily:
- To what degree would our stress levels be reduced?
- Would our blood pressure be lowered?
- How would our relationships be enhanced?
- How much calmer might we be?
O God assist me in remembering to take some moments of every day and make them Sabbath Moments.
Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.