On this Memorial of Saint Agnes, we turn our admiration to her courage, purity of heart, and unwavering adherence to the Faith. This 12-year-old martyr of the early Church endured extreme persecution and torture—all while preserving her faith in Jesus and offering her virginity as a gift to Him. Subjected to humiliation, physical torture, and attempts to seduce her, she remained steadfast in professing the Catholic faith. She refused marriage proposals by wealthy men, telling one man, “That is an insult to my heavenly Spouse to try to please me. He chose me first and I will belong to Him.” She was once asked by a governor to deny God in exchange for gifts but she refused. Eventually, she was sentenced to execution, and to this, she declared, “You may stain your sword with my blood, but you will never be able to profane my body, consecrated to Christ.”

These are shining words that we can embrace on our recovery journey. Like Saint Agnes, we can command our addictive compulsions to stand down by stressing our faith in God: “Tempting me to relapse is an insult to God who created me and who loves me. My body, mind, and soul belong to Jesus Christ. I will not let anyone or anything tarnish my soul. You can torment me with desires and cravings, but you will not profane my body. I will keep it pure and clean of addiction in my consecration to Christ.” Saint Agnes reminds us that the difficulties of our daily life can be embraced with courage and that true strength comes not from avoiding pain but from offering our sufferings in union with Jesus’ passion and death on the Cross. By resisting our addictive urges, we gain spiritual strength and grow closer to Christ.

Reflection Questions

• When have you been tempted to compromise or deny your faith? How did you respond?
• What are the little pains that, at times, feel overwhelming? How might your relationship with Christ help you face these with greater virtue and strength?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Hebrews 6:10-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c
Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

Reflection by Bill B.