Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs
Saturday of week 24 in Ordinary Time
First reading 1 Timothy 6:13-16
Saint Paul urges Timothy to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This command is not a temporary guideline, but a lifelong commitment rooted in the majesty of God Himself, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light. Our perseverance in faith is framed by this vision of God’s sovereignty, He is beyond human grasp, yet He reveals Himself in Christ who will return in glory at the proper time. The Korean martyrs we honor today embody this fidelity. In the face of persecution, they did not waver but lived and died with the conviction that Christ is the eternal ruler, worth every sacrifice. Their witness teaches us that to keep the commandment is to live with integrity, courage, and hope, even when the cost is high. In a world often distracted by passing powers and fleeting lights, this reading calls us to fix our gaze on the One who is eternal and to let our lives reflect unwavering devotion until He comes again. Let’s reflect: Am I keeping the commandment of Christ with faithfulness and integrity, inspired by the martyrs’ courage, and fixing my gaze on the eternal King who dwells in unapproachable light until He is revealed in glory?
Don Giorgio