"Today we celebrate two great martyrs, St. Fabian and St. Sebastian. St. Sebastian, in particular, is often depicted full of arrows—a s...
"Today we celebrate two great martyrs, St. Fabian and St. Sebastian. St. Sebastian, in particular, is often depicted full of arrows—a soldier who looked strong on the outside but whose true strength was hidden in his faith. This aligns perfectly with our readings. Let’s reflect on Perspective, Purpose, and Perseverance.
First, Perspective. In the First Reading, Samuel is impressed by the height and appearance of Jesse’s eldest son. But God says, 'Do not judge from his appearance... God looks at the heart.' We live in a world obsessed with optics—Instagram filters, branding, and looking successful. But God’s Perspective penetrates all of that. He chose David, the youngest, the shepherd, the afterthought. God sees your potential when the world only sees your limitations.
Second, Purpose. In the Gospel, the Pharisees obsess over the rule of the Sabbath. Jesus reminds them of the Purpose of the law: 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.' Rules are meant to help us love God and neighbor, not to burden us. When we become legalistic, we lose the heart of our faith.
Finally, Perseverance. St. Sebastian was a soldier in the Roman army. He could have saved his life by denying Christ, by conforming to the 'appearance' of a loyal Roman subject. But he had the Perseverance to hold on to the truth in his heart.
Today, ask yourself: Am I worried about how I look to others, or how my heart looks to God? Let us align our Perspective with His, understand the Purpose of His commands, and pray for the Perseverance of the saints."
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