Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where you read the daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Wednesday, August 13th, and the Gospel reading is Matthew 18, 15 through 20.
And the scripture to reflect on is Matthew 18, 20.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
It’s kind of hard to put into words how to get along with other people.
How do you keep good relationships?
God wants us to keep peace with others, because when we do that, we can serve him and help others.
The Bible tells us that it’s important to get along with others.
It’s not always easy if someone is giving you a hard time.
We should try to fix the problem and friendship.
If that doesn’t work, though, sometimes we need to get other people involved.
We can ask friends for help, or we could even have a parent for help.
Sometimes people might still not want to fix the problem, and that’s okay.
Time to move on.
Today’s Saint of the Day is Saint Pontian and Hippolytus.
Their birth is unknown, but they died in the year 235.
They are the patron saint of prison guards, prison officers, and prison workers.
Honored together in death, these two saints clashed with each other during life.
Pontian became pope in 230 during the difficult times of Roman persecution.
He also faced eternal problems in the church.
Hippolytus had set himself up as an anti-pope for years earlier and continued to dissent under Pontian.
Hippolytus was a rigorous who thought that popes were being too lenient towards Christians who had denied Christ during the persecution, but later wanted to return to the church.
Despite this, Hippolytus was an important theologian who wrote many works on scripture, liturgy, and church teaching.
The Christian persecution only the empire Maximus, however, saw no distinction between Pontian and Hippolytus.
They were both banished to hard labor in the salt mines of Sardinia.
Pontian resigned his office so that another pope could be elected.
Hippolytus reconciled with him and then ended his schism by sending word to his followers in a word to return to the church, unity under the new pope.
They both died from their sufferings in the harsh condition of the mines.
Their feast is August 13 because that day in 235 their bodies were interred in the catacombs of Rome.
But usually with prayer and forgiveness we can fix things and have peace.
God wants us to do everything we can to keep peace.
He knows that relationships are important in our lives.
No matter what, God is with us and will help us.
So if you’re having a problem with someone, talk to them about it.
If that doesn’t work, you might bring others in for help.
But most importantly, pray.
Today’s saint’s story shows us that us humans can mess up and make mistakes.
But God’s grace is greater.
Our love for Jesus should be great that you feel freedom.
Sometimes we should listen to people with love.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, help us to have good relationships.
Thank you for the example of forgiveness.
Help us to forgive others too.
And help us to pray for others and to work in unity for you.
Saint Pontian and Hippolytus, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!