5 Feb – Memorial for St. Agatha, virgin and martyr
We have little reliable information about this martyr who has been honoured since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha (d.250) lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians, the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agatha’s sanctity; he planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her. Handed over to a brothel, she refused to accept customers.
After rejecting Quinctianus’ advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, her breasts were crushed and cut off. She told the judge, “Cruel man, have you forgotten your mother and the breast that nourished you, that you dare to mutilate me this way?” One version has it that St. Peter healed her. She was then imprisoned again, then rolled on live coals; when she was near death, an earthquake struck. In the destruction that followed, a friend of the magistrate was crushed, and the magistrate fled. Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain, and died.
Legend says that carrying her veil in procession, taken from her tomb in Catania, has averted eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Kgs :1-7,9-13
Mk 6:53-56
“I have built you a dwelling, a place for you to live in for ever.”
The only place we occupy perpetually during our earthly life is our own body. Part of that body also includes our mind, and our metaphorical heart. Yet many of us neglect our physical and mental well-being while being focused on living our lives and hopefully being active in church.
Perhaps it is our self-effacing nature to not think highly of ourselves. We equate the Christian way to be primarily focused on serving others at our own expense. That shouldn’t be the case. It is only when we are healthy and mentally sharp that we can effectively serve the Lord.
I put on quite a bit of weight over 2020-2021 and am now taking active measures to shed those pounds. It is not easy, but I am finding the process deeply rewarding. I am more flexible, sleep better, and definitely stronger. This has had a positive effect on my mood as I feel more confident and proud of my physique. The spillover effect of this is that I find myself being more patient and understanding with my family. In short, everybody benefits.
On the mental health front — I have been spending more time praying and reflecting on situations. I have also turned to articles and books to help me change old mindsets and patterns of behaviour. As we age, we acquire habits deliberately as well as subconsciously, and I feel that it helps to examine why we think and act the way we do.
I am not espousing self-care over our core responsibilities. The demands of our lives are very real in the different roles we play. But do consider how your physical and mental health may be limiting you in those capacities, and take active steps to bio-hack your life. Your body and significant others will undoubtedly notice the difference.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gregory Mathew)
Prayer: We ask you Lord, to give us the discipline and inspiration to look after our health so that we will not be a burden upon others.
Thanksgiving: We are grateful for the gifts you have bestowed on us. These bespoke abilities of ours make us unique members of our societies.
OXYGEN 
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