Saint Callistus I (d.223)
for October 14
As a young slave, Pope Saint Callistus I was given the task of maintaining the collected funds which were given as alms by Christians. Callistus lost the funds he was supposed to be minding, and ran away from Rome. He was condemned to work in the mines of Sardinia. After he was freed from the mines, Callistus became a deacon, and Pope Zephyrinus entrusted the burial chambers along the Appian Way near Rome into his care. When Callixtus followed Zephyrinus as bishop of Rome, he started allowing converts from sects or schisms into the church even though they had not done penance. This angered his biggest rival and a priest of Rome, Hippolytus. Callistus was martyred around 222, possibly during a popular uprising.
Read more about Saint Callistus I (d.223)
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Reflection
We all make mistakes. What matters is what we learn from them. Even though Saint Callistus ran away when he lost the funds that he was in charge of instead of telling someone right away, he learned to be more responsible in the long run. He was even given another important task--being in charge of the burial chambers along the Appian Way. With his new-found responsibility, he succeeded at his task and was given more responsibility as bishop of Rome. Having learned that everyone makes mistakes, he was lenient on the requirements that new converts had to fulfill before being admitted into the church. Do you run away from the things that you have done wrong, or do you repent and learn from your mistakes?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, when life seems desperate, give me a new heart to begin again. Help me always to be aware of your love and support in my life. (Taken from "Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.")
