Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where we read the daily gospels and the saint of the day.
Let’s get started! Today is Thursday, May 21st, and the gospel reading is John 17, 20-26, and the scripture to reflect on is John 17, 26.
I may know to them your name, and I will make it known that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
After reading today’s gospel, I giggled because I thought of my dog.
Sometimes she will stare at herself in the mirror.
She will cock her head and boop the mirror with her nose, and one time I even heard her woof at her reflection.
To her, it’s another dog.
She doesn’t realize it’s herself.
Have you ever made faces at yourself in the mirror, or practiced something to make sure you were doing things right?
It’s kind of like Jesus in the reading today.
The main ways Jesus taught his disciples was by having his disciples copy him.
Jesus showed his disciples how to interact with him and talk with God, and when the disciples copied what Jesus did, they were also learning how to talk with God the same ways that Jesus did.
Today’s Saints of the Day, St.
Cristobal Magalanes and companions.
He was born 1869 and died 1927.
He is the patron saint of Mexico.
Cristobal, or Christopher, was a parish priest in his hometown of Mexico during the anti-Catholic persecution that occurred in the 20th century.
With severe laws limiting religious freedom, other government leaders tried to stamp out the Catholic faith and prevent priests from ministering to their flock.
On May 21, 1927, while on the way to celebrate Mass at a farm, Cristobal was apprehended.
Distributing his positions to the executors, he expressed forgiveness to his persecutors.
He was shot to death four days later without a trial.
Right before he died, he said, I am innocent and I die innocent.
I forgive with all my heart responsible for my death, and I ask that God will forgive my heart, that the shedding blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico.
The other martyrs in the group included 21 priests and three laymen, killed between 1915 and 1937.
John Paul II canonized them during the Jubilee Year in 2000.
It’s the same thing for us.
The more we copy Jesus' words and actions, the more we are learning how to interact with God, and the more we can teach others how to do the same thing.
Cristobal and his companions showed total dedication to Christ and the Church.
They willingly gave up their lives rather than deny their faith.
Their courage can help us give witness to others in ordinary events of life, and to bravely face persecution for our faith.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you for setting a good example.
Help me to copy your words and actions.
And help us to have the courage to bear witness to you, even in difficult situations.
St.
Cristobal Magalas and companions, 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!