Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

St. Cecilia's Memorial is today.  She was a virgin martyr of the early Church.  There are stories about how she heard heavenly music at her wedding and how she later converted her husband to the faith and that they continued to minister to the poor and need in Rome until they were arrested and martyred.  However much of all that is true, the main point of it is that Cecilia wished to focus on what was holy.  She wished to focus on her relationship with Jesus most of all. 

The readings today call us to keep focused on what is holy as well.  1 Maccabees tells the story of the first Hanukah and how they rededicated the Temple after it had been defiled.  Jesus talks as well about keeping the Temple as a place of prayer.  This is all about keeping focused on what is holy.  We are called to keep focused on our relationship with God.  May St. Cecilia pray for us that we may receive the grace we need to do that.