The Catholic Defender: Saints Cosmas and Damian Twins who show Charity and love merits Grace
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. – Hebrews 13:16
Whoever cares for the poor lends to the LORD,who will pay back the sum in full. – Proverbs 19:17
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7
From the border region of third century (287 303) Arabia (between modern day Turkey and Syria). Twins Cosmas and Damian were born to parents who lived out their Catholic Faith in dangerous times when the gods of pantheism were held in high esteem by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The Roman Empire sought to wipe out the Catholic Faith. In 287 A.D. The Governor of Cilicia, Lysias of (modern day Atukurova, Turkey) was jealous of the Twins had them arrested as they would not renounce Christ or their Catholic Faith. It was widely reported of the good they did helping many people not charging them for their service as physicians. Through their faith they attracted many converts and what disturbed the Governor the most was when the news they expelled a horrible looking serpent from a demon possessed person. The Holy Spirit worked great signs through them curing blindness, fevers, paralysis.
1 Peter 3:13-15 states, "Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good?
But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,"
As St. Peter gives us consolation if we should suffer for our faith, he says, "blessed are you". And so now are blessed, Saints Cosmas and Damian who because they would not deny their faith underwent the most severe tortures. Such tortures involved crucifixion, beheading, drowning at sea, the goring of beasts, flesh being burned off in a roar of flames. Saints Cosmas and Damian through their witness, they recognized their own bodies to be earthen vessals. Through this brutal violent end, their martyrdom, was so widespread in the early Church that they joined that elite class of martyrs, saints, virgins, and popes whose names were inserted into the Roman Canon, or Eucharistic Prayer I, where they are still read at Mass today.
As I look back to the time and lives of these great Saints living through such persecutions and edicts of Diocletian, today we are seeing the rise and return of ancient paganism weaving itself back in society influencing the killing of more than 60.000,000 in abortion, the modern Homosexual, Sexual Revolution, disease, broken families. The Catholic Church is like surrounded by darkness wanting to again wipe us out. In the End, We will win, Jesus Christ already won the war, we just need to stay ingaged in the battle as souls are at stake. At a recent protest, I stood for that all children needs our protection. Unlike the parents of Saints, Cosmas & Damian, many parents today have compromised with the evil taking place today. America needs a miracle. Pray for America!
Each time we look upon Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, He raises us up into deeper union with Himself, opens up the floodgates of His merciful love to the whole world, and brings us closer to the day of His final victory "where every knee will bend and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord". "The reign of God is already in your midst." The coming of Jesus to us in the Eucharist is assurance of His promise of final victory: "BEHOLD, I COME TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW."
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
