Midweek Devotion 5 February 2025

Reading

Judith 16:16

No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Devotion

http://www.wga.hu/html/l/lanfranc/agatha.html

Today's painting is by Giovanni Lanfranco (1582-1647) who created art in the style of Caravaggio.  This masterpiece, "St. Peter Healing St. Agatha" resides in The Galleria Nazionale di Parma, in Italy.  Saint Agatha's feast day is today, 5 February.  St. Agatha's is a particularly grisly tale of martyrdom from the island of Sicily about the year 251.  She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients, rape victims, martyrs, and wet nurses, among others. One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, Agatha was put to death during the persecution of Decius (250-253) in Catania, Sicily, for her determined profession of faith. Her written legend comprises "straightforward accounts of interrogation, torture, resistance, and triumph which constitute some of the earliest hagiographic literature".

Part of her legend is a moment of healing following her torture in which St. Peter, long after his own martyrdom, visited her and healed her wounds.  Lafranco's painting, in the Tenebrae style which makes such remarkable use of light and shadow, shows this miracle.  I find it compelling that Agatha and the angel are in light while St. Peter, except for his hand and the top of his head/back are shrouded.  As one who works and practices to discover spiritual consciousness and illumination which in turn leads to healing, it all makes metaphorical sense.  

Imagine Agatha as the mind, the psyche.  Our minds may carry wounds, old or new.  Live long enough and these will accumulate.  Our souls, however, are immortal and always connected to the Divine Source here represented by the angel.  Through helpers, like St. Peter, whose focus is on us, so they are clothed in shadow, we can experience healing.  I know I make use of lots of friends and companions who help my soul to bring things to consciousness, find illumination and discover healing.  My team includes beyond my friendship circle, a professional counselor, a spiritual director, a confessor, a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a couple of mentors, and an anam cara or two.  Who is on your team, dear reader?  If you bear wounds yourself, who ought to be added to your team?  Whose team are you on?

I imagine the metaphor can be expanded to our lives in community as well.  This would be much in the spirit of St. Agatha's witness.  Hers was no #activism, but an in-person following of the way of the cross.  She inspires me the way A Letter from the Birmingham Jail or The Cost of Discipleship inspire me.  Read more of her story here: St. Agatha, the early Church martyr who tradition says was visited by St. Peter – EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

Prayer 

Almighty and everlasting God, who strengthened your martyr Agatha with constancy and courage: Grant us for the love of you to make no peace with oppression, to fear no adversity, and to have no tolerance for those who would use their power to abuse or exploit; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)