Memorial of Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
This passage from our gospel reminds me of our Holy Martyrs today, “For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’”
This makes me wonder if the people of Korea thought that Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn was possessed or mentally insane. St. Andrew said in his final hour, “This is my last hour of life, listen to me attentively: if I have held communication with foreigners, it has been for my religion and for my God. It is for Him that I die. My immortal life is on the point of beginning. Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death because God has eternal chastisements in store for those who have refused to know Him.” This can be scary. We should always know the Lord more and more, like St. John the Baptist, and when we recognize him, be like St. Andrew and his companions, decreasing so that Christ may work in us.
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections