THE MEMORIAL OF ST CECILIA, PATRONNESS OF MUSICIANS.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST CECILIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
"Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”
"And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
"The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words." (Luke 19: 45 - 48).
Friday 22nd November 2024 in the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Cecilia. Italian. (+ 3rd century). Virgin and Martyr.
Cecilia came from a noble Roman family. She was betrothed to Valerian, a noble Roman gentleman. Cecilia convinced Valerian to respect her perpetual vow of chastity. She also led Valerian to embrace Christ and Christianity. Valerian gave his life to Christ as a martyr.
St Cecilia was tortured and left to die slowly.
St Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians. Her name is mentioned in the Roman Canon.
Music plays a central role in the worship and liturgy of the Church. St Augustine says that to sing is to pray twice. Let us thank God for the gift of music.
The reflection on today's Gospel from Luke 19: 45 - 48 points us to the sanctity and sacredness (set-apart) of God’s House and the absolute necessity to respect God's Domain. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.
The prophets up and down the ages have taught this lesson. Jesus in today's Gospel uses a dramatic prophetic action to stress this lesson especially to the obdurate Temple officials.
In this age and time, soul cleansing or purification in the Kingdom of God [the Church] that Jesus established on earth through His death and Resurrection is a vital necessity.
The Sacrament of Baptism gives us Entrance into the Church, which is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth. The Eucharist nourishes us in the Kingdom and the Sacrament of Reconciliation heals us when we are sick in the Kingdom.
Do not underestimate the three Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist and Confession.
The month of November is traditionally dedicated in the Catholic Church to honoring the dead and relieving the sufferings of the souls in purgatory. Do not neglect your loved ones.
For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:
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