How is the body to become a sacrifice?

How is the body to become a sacrifice?

   Let the eye look on no evil thing, and it has already become a
sacrifice.  Let the tongue say nothing filthy, and it has become an
offering.  Let your hand do nothing evil, and it has become a whole
burnt offering.  But even this is not enough, for we must have good
works also.  The hand must do alms, the mouth must bless those who
curse it, and the ears must find time to listen to the reading of
Scripture.  Sacrifice allows of no unclean thing.  It is the first
fruits of all other actions.
--St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 20.

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July 12th - SS. Hilarion and Proclus, Martyrs

The Holy Martyrs were natives of the village of Kallippi, near Ancyra;
fearlessly confessed their faith in Christ

They suffered during the time of a persecution under the emperor
Trajan (98-117). St. Proclus was put under arrest first. Brought
before the governor Maximus, he fearlessly confessed his faith in
Christ. The governor decided to compel the saint to submit himself to
the emperor and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. During his
tortures, the martyr predicted to Maximus that soon he himself would
be compelled to confess Christ as the true God. They forced the martyr
to run after the chariot of the governor, heading towards the village
Kallippi. Exhausted, St. Proclus prayed that the Lord would halt the
chariot. By the power of God the chariot halted, and no force could
move it from the spot. The dignitary sitting in it became petrified.
The martyr told him that he would remain unmoving until such time as
he would sign a document with a confession of Christ. Only after this
could the chariot continue on its way with the governor.

The humiliated pagan took fierce revenge on St. Proclus. He commanded
that Proclus be led out beyond the city, tied to a pillar and shot
with arrows. The soldiers, leading St. Proclus to execution, told him
to give in and save his life, but the saint said that they should
follow their orders.

Along the way to the place of execution, they met Hilarion, the nephew
of St. Proclus, who with tears embraced his uncle and also confessed
himself a Christian. The soldiers seized him, and he was thrown into
prison. The holy Martyr Proclus prayed for his tormentors and
surrendered his soul to God beneath a hail of arrows.

St. Hilarion was brought to trial and, with the same courage as St.
Proclus, confessed himself a Christian. After tortures he was
sentenced to death. They tied the martyr's hands and dragged him by
his feet through the city, wounded and bloody, and then they beheaded
him three days after the death of his uncle, the holy Martyr Proclus.
Christians buried them together in a single grave .


Saint Quote:
What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to
climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend to
heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is less.
Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting life is
offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom.
--St. Cyprian of Carthage

Bible Quote:
 Is Yahweh pleased by burnt offerings and sacrifices or by obedience
to Yahweh's voice?  Truly, obedience is better than sacrifice,
submissiveness than the fat of rams.  Rebellion is a sin of sorcery,
presumption a crime of idolatry!" [1 Samuel 15:22-23]


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[T]hose who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the
brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and
blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth
and uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the
salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The
brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world
that brings light to others. They must learn from their eminent
teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to his apostles and
disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were to succeed
them, when he said, "You are the salt of the earth. But what if salt
goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Jesus also said: "You are the light of the world." Now a light does
not illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all
around upon everything that comes into its view. So it must be with
the glowing lives of upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of
their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon
them. They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives
should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the
house of the Lord.
--Excerpt from a sermon of Saint John of Capistrano