16 September-- the Martyrdom of the Great-Martyr Euphemia
The feeding of the thousands reminds us of the superabundance available to us through faith, especially as faith is expressed in prayer. The culture puts great emphasis on action, but this is because it has little trust in God.
The history of the Church proves that impossible things are wrought by God in answer to prayer. Yet, despite examples like St. John Paul II, who esteemed the supernatural fecundity of prayer, the Church continues to neglect prayer in preference to often misguided social programs. (CCC 2726-7)
St. Euphemia was one of the "beautiful people," from a chic family, intelligent and beautiful, full of natural gifts. Priscus, the proconsul, understood that winning her over was critical to convincing the whole population of the city to abandon Christianity and return to the worship of the Emperor. But Euphemia understood her great insignificance in the vast scheme of things. She knew that, naturally speaking, no one would remember her for long after her death. But through prayer and faith, this young woman became the most famous martyr of the age, and a miracle worked by her relics put the seal on the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon, centuries later.
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