(d.c.250) Agatha is an early martyr who gets mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer I (the Roman Canon) of the Mass. She was put to death during the persecution of the Roman emperor Decian for refusing to abandon her faith in Jesus Christ. Accounts that appear 700 to 1,000 years after her death tell of a prefect offering Agatha freedom in exchange for sexual favors, which she adamantly refused. According to those accounts, she was terribly tortured as a result, such as having her breasts pulled off by tongs and being burned, though “unsuccessfully,” at the stake. Yet, throughout all of it she remained devoted to the Christian faith.
Agatha stayed true to what she knew to be reality despite being offered freedom as well as being threatened with terrible suffering. Our addictions also offer a false freedom as well as release from suffering, at least temporarily. But these are illusions, and addiction becomes a cruel master. How have you learned to accept this truth?
“Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am — you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil” (attributed to Saint Agatha).
Reflection by Brad Farmer