September 26, Sts. Cosmas and Damian

The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.--Jeremiah 31:see 10

Mass readings: Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15 / Luke 9:43-45

Handed Over Like Their Master

Most of us know little about Sts. Cosmas and Damian although their names should be familiar. They're listed in the canon of the Mass. Of Arabic descent, these third-century twin brothers were physicians trained in Syria. Working as a team in Aegea, in present day Turkey, they treated sick people for free. This generosity must have been surprising even then since they were nicknamed ''the Silverless.'' Their charity and gentle evangelization brought many people to Christ. Tradition says they once successfully transplanted the ulcerated leg of a sick man with the leg of an Ethiopian who'd just died.

Like Jesus in today's Gospel, they probably knew they would be ''handed over'' and killed for their beliefs. Cosmas and Damian were beheaded in 287 during the persecution of Diocletian.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the wonderful witness of martyrs from every age of the Church.