September 20, 2012 
Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr and Saint Paul Chong Hasang, martyr and their companions
Saint of the day
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-1846)
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon is among the 103 Korean martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Christians in Korea were persecuted. Openly practicing the faith meant risking death. At the age of 15, Andrew Kim Taegon decided to risk being a Christian and was baptized. Later he became the first Korean-born priest, but he had to leave Korea to do it. Andrew's journey to the priesthood also led him to become an escort for missionaries traveling between China and Korea. Saint Andrew was eventually caught, jailed, tortured, and beheaded. He is one of the many Korean martyrs who gave up their lives instead of giving up their faith. (Taken from "Exploring Saints and Feast Days with Young Adolescents.")
Reflection
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon was fully aware that converting to Christianity and working for its dissemination would endanger his life. Perhaps he even expected that his work would inevitably lead to his death. Despite this awareness, Saint Andrew Kim Taegon persisted in his mission to spread Christianity. Take a moment to consider the courage and faith required to work on behalf of a cause that one knows will likely result in death.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, please give me the courage and faith to be willing to follow you regardless of the difficulties that this lifestyle imposes.
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 446
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Red
Daily readings
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Reading 1
The things Saint Paul is saying about himself are also true for each of us. God has created us the way we are. To realize our gifts and talents is not vanity as long as we give God credit for them. To despise who we are or to long to be someone else is to not appreciate that we are God's creation--but appreciating that we are God's creation is often easier to say than to do. Some people get messages from our culture, from other people, sometimes even from a parent that they are not good enough. When you begin to feel that way, remember Saint Paul's words, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain." (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)
