Feast of St Andrew Kim Taegon and the Korean Martyrs.

"Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8: 16.... 18).

Monday 20th September 2021, in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr and the Korean martyrs. 103 martyrs gave their lives to Christ between 1839 and 1867. Among the martyrs were priests and laity and a full representative of the Church in Korea from all backgrounds.

A lamp is lit to be placed on a lampstand. The light here in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel for today represents the precious word of God planted in your heart.

We celebrate today the witness of the martyrs of Korea to this truth. A Korean traveler in China heard the Good News in that country. He returned home to Korea with tracts of the Catechism. He brought the light of the faith to Korea.

Examples of those who spread the light:
1. Mary heard the word of God and hastened with it to Elizabeth.
2. Anna the Prophetess saw the light at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and became an evangelist spreading the message to everyone she meets from that point.
3. Philip met the Light and heard Him speak and hurried off to share the Good News with Bartholomew.
4. Saints Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Ignatius, Teresa of Kolkata heard and saw the Light. They founded religious orders which continue to spread the word throughout the world.

Jesus says that there are dire consequences for hiding your talent.
"Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Use it or lose it!

"I have chosen you to live in My friendship. Let Me respond, as I see fit, to all your heart’s desires. In what I will give you, there is no bitterness, no poison, no deception—I will give you only My light, My truth, My sweetness, My love, and a participation in all My states and in all My mysteries. I will take you into the innermost sanctuary of My Heart where I adore My Father as His eternal priest, and offer myself to Him as a perpetual victim of love."  (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, January 8, 2008).

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