2 Corinthians 1:1-7; Psalm 33(34):2-9; Matthew 5:1-12
| Bl Alphonsus Mazurek and Companions |
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He was born in 1891 at Baranowka, near Lubartow, Poland. He entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites in 1908, taking the religious name Alphonsus Mary of the Holy Spirit. He was ordained a priest and appointed as a professor, while dedicating himself to the education of youth. Afterwards he served in his Order as prior and bursar. In 1944, after having been arrested by the troops that had invaded his country, he was shot on 28th August at Nawojowa Gora, near Krzeszowice. He was beatified by John Paul II on 13th June 1999, together with many other Polish martyrs.
In the second letter to the Corinthians, we hear about comfort and affliction. There will always be trials in life - St Paul is promising us that he has also had trials and through them has found comfort - as will we. The people of Poland have in living memory suffered greatly at the hands of tyrants - but from this arose the great life of Pope Saint John Paul II, and the struggles endured by civilians who gave all to bring justice and peace to their country. Similar trials take place all over the world to this day, although our news tends to focus on Ukraine just now.
Because humans are fallen, there will always be difficulties. But God does turn them into opportunites.
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