The sin of the Pharisees as portrayed in today’s Gospel was the sin of believing only certain people were destined for salvation. They denied that sinners could be loved by God, and they mocked Jesus for apparently not knowing this basic fact. Oddly enough, less than three centuries later, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian had to deal with much the same controversy.
St. Cornelius was elected pope after a fourteen month vacancy in the office, because of all the infighting in the Church at the time. He had to mediate many crises, most especially the heresy of Novationism, which denied that anyone who sinned could be reconciled – sound familiar? Because of his stand, his detractors elected the first anti-pope, and had Cornelius exiled to Civitavecchia, where he died as a result of his exile. His friend, St. Cyprian, a bishop, was also involved in the Novation controversy. He too was exiled in the persecution of Valerian, and martyred on September 14, 258.
We honor Saints Cornelius and Cyprian today, two men who gave their lives witnessing to the salvation that Jesus Christ came to bring. They believed in the Gospel and because of that, they were able to withstand heresies, persecution, exile and martyrdom, and come at last to the heavenly kingdom. May we, like them, build our spiritual lives on the firm foundation of God’s love and mercy so that we may withstand whatever persecutions life may bring our way.