Sep 16 – Memorial for Sts. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; and Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr
St. Cornelius (d. 253) was elected after a year-and-a-half period, during which persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was a quick death sentence. He worked to maintain unity in a time of schism and apostasy. He called a synod of bishops to confirm him as rightful pontiff, as opposed to the anti-pope Novatian. Cornelius was eventually exiled by Roman authorities to punish Christians in general, who were said to have provoked the gods to send plague against Rome.
St. Cyprian (190-258) was baptised when he was 56. By the time he was bishop, he had been a Christian for only 3 years! When the Roman emperor Decius persecuted Christians, Cyprian lived in hiding, covertly ministering to his flock; his enemies condemned him for being a coward and not standing up for his faith. He supported St. Cornelius against the anti-pope Novatian. He too was exiled and martyred when Decius’ successor continued with persecution of Christians.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Cor 15:12-20
Lk 8:1-3
In fact been raised from the dead
Christ rising from the dead is the greatest mystery in our faith. Paul is right that the preaching in the Church is useless if the belief in Christ’s resurrection is not true at all. Our belief in eternal life will not be true and all hopes have perished right at the moment our life in this moment ends. Many people still believe that Christianity as a religion is all a lie, all fabricated to build communities of believers out of nothing, making it seem like a worldwide influence that has riches in different parts of the world and promoting false hope and blind faith followers.
However, just by looking at how much the Church has done for the world, it has reached to the rich
as well as the very poor. It has reached to all ages, both men and women. What the Church has set
up since the beginning by the apostles, has always been bringing Christ to us. Of course, being men, we are not perfect and we are unfortunate to have leaders who have fallen into temptations. Strict rules and old traditions that might not fit this century being put aside, the Church has grown to reach every single one of us. It is not about the riches, but the richness of faith — for example, support groups being set up to fulfil an obligation for the needy. I do realise that every new building, every new church, every new missionary trip support has always been the people and believers who have stepped up to get things going. It is indeed difficult to deny that this faith is a hoax when you look into the developments of the Church and what has been done by her across the world.
Jesus Christ is in fact being raised from the dead and sent his Holy Spirit down on us. He is the one who has saved us from death, bringing us back to the Father in eternal life. Giving us the hope and love we so often preach about, and by loving God and others just as He commands. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, and to Mother Mary for watching over us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Austin Leong)
Prayer: Your will be done, do not lead us into temptation and deliver us from evil.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for the Church which is forever evolving, and that leaders who are tempted be strong and repentant, so they may reach to the community with the fullness of heart.
OXYGEN 
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