Jason was a friend and host of Saint Paul (Acts 17:5) in Salonka, Thessalonica, during his second missionary journey. Jason was a prominent convert to Christianity and is probably the same Jason with Sosipater mentioned by Saint Paul in the Epistle to the Romans (16:21). In the Greek legend Jason is described as the bishop of Tarsus, Cilicia, who, with Sosipater, evangelized Corfu, where Jason died. Syrian legend says he evangelized the area around Apamea and was martyred there by being thrown to wild beasts. The Roman Martyrology wrongly identifies him with the Mnason mentioned in Acts 21:16, "a Cyprian, an old disciple," with whom Saint Paul was staying in Jerusalem and whom tradition makes bishop of Tamasus in Cyprus (Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia).

Readings

The Jews became jealous and recruited some worthless men loitering in the public square, formed a mob, and set the city in turmoil. They marched on the house of Jason, intending to bring them before the people's assembly. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city magistrates, shouting, "These people who have been creating a disturbance all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them. They all act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar and claim instead that there is another king, Jesus." They stirred up the crowd and the city magistrates who, upon hearing these charges, took a surety payment from Jason and the others before releasing them.

-Acts 17:5-9

Prayer

Oh Heavenly Father, you raised up St. Jason to be a companion of the apostle Paul and allowed him to preach the Gospel along with St. Sosipater. By your power he was able to convert seven thieves while in prison awaiting his martyrdom, grant that we may joyfully suffer our daily martyrdom for the faith and be a witness to those around us. We ask you this through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with You and Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen

V. Pray for us St. Jason

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

 

By Mark Visconti, Community of Hope