FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS.
FEAST OF SAINTS PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS, MARTYRS.
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
"If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
"If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 15 - 20).
Wednesday 13th August 2025 in the 19th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, Martyrs.
Saints Pontian, Pope and Hippolytus, anti Pope (priest). St Pontian was elected Pope in 230 and St Hippolytus challenged him and set up himself as a rival.
By a mysterious design of Divine Providence, both waring clerics found themselves in the the same prison at the same time. They reconciled and were martyred together under the Emperor Maximinus Thrax. (+ 235).
Our heavenly Father must have smiled upon Pontian and Hippolytus as He welcomed them into paradise because they heard the message of His Son, Jesus Christ and forgave "his brother from his heart."
A reflection on the Gospel of today from Matthew 18: 15 - 20.
Jesus Christ founded a Church with broad powers and especially the power to forgive sins. "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
It is in the ministry of Prayer and Reconciliation that we see priveleges that Jesus entrusted to His Church.
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father."
Let us have confidence in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church because it is the Custodian of the immense graces and privileges Jesus Christ bequeathed to humanity.
Mary the Virgin under her title of Immaculate Heart is honored in August.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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