13 Apr – Memorial for St. Martin I, pope & martyr
St. Martin (d. 655) was chosen the 74th pope in 649 without imperial approval. He conducted the Lateran Council, which condemned the Patriarch of Constantinople for Monothelitism, and which claimed that Christ had no human will. This put him in opposition to the emperor, who had him arrested and tortured. Paul, Patriarch of Constantinople, repented of his stance, which saved Martin from execution, but the pope died soon after from damage received during his imprisonment, and is considered a martyr — the last martyred pope.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 4:23-31
Jn 3:1-8
“…unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
As we head into the second week of Easter, are the images of Baptism and/or Confirmation from the Easter Vigil, still fresh in your mind? That is the night that a lot of our brothers and sisters are received into the Church family — the body of Christ. I find it ever encouraging and hopeful that many people have found Jesus and went through RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults) to learn more about God and His love for us. Although it doesn’t plumb the depths of faith, it is a wonderful beginning.
When Nicodemus, a Pharisee, went to see Jesus in the night, he was curious and looking for answers. Much like a lot of us searching in life, for answers to various questions that plague us. Whatever question was on Nicodemus’ mind, perhaps, it is in our hearts as well. Jesus answered him, just like He answers us at times, plainly. But because we are too stuck in our ways of thinking, we do not understand, much like Nicodemus, who did not understand what Jesus was saying to him.
For Catholics, new or practicing, we recognise what Jesus meant when He said, “unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. We would recognise that our Lord is speaking of the rite of Baptism — whereby we are baptized with water, but more importantly, baptised with the Holy Spirit. We become a new creation that is preparing to enter the kingdom of God.
Once we are baptised or marked for God, we can never be ‘un-baptised’. Even if we stop practicing our faith (I pray that won’t happen), the gift that God gave — His Holy Spirit — remains with us. God is generous and does not rescind His loving gift. It is up to us to carry the gift of the Holy Spirit with us everywhere we go, or to put the gift in a forgotten corner as we go through life. Unless we receive His gift, we do not share in His life and therefore, cannot enter into His kingdom.
While it is so ever encouraging to see so many brothers and sisters entering into a personal relationship with the Lord, it is heartbreaking at the same time, that there are so many more people who do not know the Lord, who do not know that they are loved beyond their imagination. Let us pray for those who are still searching, and for those who are caught in the storms of life and can’t open their eyes because of the wind and rain. One day, may we welcome them into the Church, to the family of God, to the body of Christ.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: My Most Gracious Lord, You have sent the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate, to teach and enlighten us. Please grant us the grace to recognise His voice, and to heed the truth that He is revealing to us, and to grow in closeness with the most Holy Trinity.
Thanksgiving: Most Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending our Lord Jesus Christ to save us and for sending the Holy Spirit to enlighten, guide and protect us. You have given all to us. We praise You, we love You and we adore You.
OXYGEN 
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