Homily – Saturday of the Second Week of Lent (Year II)
By Fr. Williams Onyilo, CSSp
Readings: Micah 7:14–15, 18–20; Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
Memorial: Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Normally, in life, people make requests, and such requests may receive either a positive or a negative response. This often depends on whether what one seeks is available or acceptable to the other person. Sometimes a person may ask for something and initially receive a negative response, but later receive a positive one. Perhaps the request could not be granted earlier because the resources were limited. In such situations, patience is required between the time of the negative response and the eventual positive one. After all, we know that human wants are unlimited, but the resources to satisfy them are limited.
Today, however, it is surprising to see how some people react harshly or even violently when they receive a “no,” especially in relationships. For instance, a man may claim to love a woman and ask her out, but when she declines, he responds with insults or hostility. Sometimes, after a short time, the same heart that professed love begins to express hatred or even violence. Perhaps developmental psychologists such as Carl Jung might have something to say about such emotional contradictions.
We also see examples of strong love for God and strong hatred from persecutors in the story of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, whom the Church commemorates today. Perpetua and Felicity were catechumens—individuals preparing for baptism in the early Church. They were arrested for their Christian faith in North Africa. Perpetua was a well-educated young mother who was still nursing her infant son while in prison. Despite intense pressure from her father to renounce her faith, she firmly refused.
Felicity, on the other hand, was a slave and eight months pregnant at the time of her arrest. While in prison, she gave birth to a daughter just days before their execution.
Both women eventually faced martyrdom in the amphitheater at Carthage. They were first attacked by a wild cow and severely injured. Afterwards, they were killed by the sword of a gladiator. Tradition recounts that Perpetua courageously guided the hesitant soldier’s sword to her own throat, showing remarkable faith and resolve.
Their story, The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, remains one of the earliest and most authentic accounts of Christian martyrdom. The Church commemorates them on March 7, and they are regarded as patrons of mothers, expectant mothers, ranchers, and butchers.
I believe that at the early developmental stages of children, they should be taught how to accept “no” for an answer, especially when they make demands that are inappropriate for their age or harmful to them. Learning this discipline early in life can help reduce some of the violence and frustration we see in society today.
May the Holy Spirit grant us the humility, patience, and maturity to accept both “yes” and “no” in life with grace.
Amen.
