Homily: Feast of Cosmos and Damian

Feast of Cosmos and Damian (2023) “May There Be Peace”

Saints Cosmos and Damian were twin brothers who were born in what is now Syria in the 3rd century. The two men were physicians. Doctors, at this time, were not like the doctors of today. They usually learned their medical skills in very practical ways. There were no medical schools.

Usually, the physicians that were more talented were paid by wealthy individuals. Cosmos and Damian chose to serve the poor without charge. They had the title the doctors without silver.

Cosmos and Damian were also doctors of the soul. They saw that their patients needed spiritual meaning in their lives, so they began to preach and baptize as well as provide medical care. For this reason, they got into trouble with the Roman Authorities. They died during a persecution that was initiated by the emperor Diocletian.

Cosmos and Damian were arrested and there we tortured. But miraculously they were preserved from suffering. As their passion went forward their captors tried various ways of putting them to death including shooting them with arrows and burning, but they were protected each time. Finally, the Roman soldiers beheaded them.

The Eastern Church has many great saints. I have been disheartened by the persecution of the church in the East which would include places like the Holy Land, Turkey, Armenia and the Ukraine.

During the last year and a half, I have prayed many times for the Eastern Fathers to intercede for the people of Ukraine. They are experiencing what can only be called genocide. Innocent people have been deliberately bombed, shot and tortured.

The church of the East has endured many atrocities through the years and wars concerning religion have been fought repeatedly. I am sure that we all pray for peace to reign.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Am I praying for peace in the near east? What would be the best outcome?

2.   Am I familiar with the saints of the East? How is the Eastern church different from the church of the West?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Remember to get your ADA pledges in if you have not done so. It is important that we make our goal. This would help our bottom line tremendously.

          Fr. Levitt was crowned king at the celebration of Africa at Christ the King parish last Sunday. Congratulations to him on all his hard work the last 20 years to make the Togolese community feel welcome in Moline. This is an example of welcoming the stranger.

          May Our Lady pray for us today,

          Fr. Mark