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+ Feasts of STS. Cyril and Methodius, February 14, 2009
The feeding of the thousands as we have just heard can easily be seen in the
lives of Sts Cyril and Methodius whom we remember today. Their lives were deeply
caught up in all the struggles taking
place in the Church back in the middle and late 9th century.
The loaves and fishes are shared as often we allow our lives to be broken and
shared, as often as we allow them to be poured out as to strengthen our brother
and sisters around us.
Sts Cyril and Methodius were called to be missionaries to the Slavonic peoples,
the provinces of Bohemia and Moravia at the time. To do this they began using
the Slavonic language so as to reach the people being among the first to use the
vernacular that caused an endless conflicts among the Bishops and even among
successive popes. St Methodius was even brought before a Bavarian synod in 870
and imprisoned, mainly over his use of Slavonic in the Liturgy.
We see now, how the mystery of the Eucharist was lived out in the lives of Sts
Cyril and Methodius. Pope John Paul II nominated them patrons of Europe along
with St Benedict since they are venerated
by both East and West and are regarded as patrons of ecumenism.
As often as we live by the same faith, live from the same love of Christ, God’s
people are fed and nourished.
Michael Casagram, OCSO
Abbey of Gethsemani
14 February 2009
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