I had the 8:00am Mass today and preached about St. Callistus, for whom I have always had a special affection. He was a slave and his master liked him so he gave him an education and actually put him in charge of money. He lost most of it, and fearing that he would be put in jail; he ran away. He was captured and brought back to Rome, where the bishop forgave him and made him a deacon and put him in charge of the cemetaries. He did such a good job, he was chosen Pope. When he was elected, a well known and popular priest of Rome, Hippolytus went off and was elected the first anti-pope. Pope Callistus was too lenient with those who had lapsed in the proclaiming of their faith when faced with prison or torture. He allowed these “Lapsi” to return to the church. Both Hippolytus and Tertullian spoke out against him. Callistus was not put to death but the Church considers him a martyr because of the suffering he experienced in his pontificate. Hippolytus continued his break away through two more popes but while he and Pope Pontian (who was the first Pope to resign) were in exile in the salt mines of Sardinia, hypollotus recanted and died at a martyr and the Church celebrates St. Hippolytus and St. Pontian on their feast day, which is August 13th.
I hope you don’t mind all that. After Mass, I received a lot of thanks for preaching on it; and I decided to write it down and share it with you.
After Mass, I drove up (in driving rain) to Shady Grove hospital and visited with Bob and Jane Connelly. He is recovering from lots of bed health lately. He will go home tomorrow and be in re-hab at a center in Solomons. We had a great visit. Then I drove back and spent most the rest of the day going through books to give to the library book fair next weekend.
Had a nice phone conversation with Joe Stoutz, who is giving serious consideration to back surgery. He has been suffering for awhile and now he needs some relief. Keep him in your prayers.
Had also a nice talk with Keith Morris. I hope to get up there to Pittsburgh for a visit and to go over things for Kathleen’s wedding in January.
Tonight, I am again going through the bookcase in my bedroom and putting aside books for the fair. It is still raining and so I am content to be indoors!
I, for one, enjoy your reflections on the saints/scripture of the day. Pray for me tomorrow as I will give my first monthly “homily”.