Michael- Martyrdom, Perseverance, Faith

You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.  By your perseverance you will secure your lives."  (Luke 21: 17-19)

Today we celebrate one of my favorite saints, Maximilian Kolbe.  Saint Maximilian was a priest from Poland who during World War II offered himself to save another.  While imprisoned in Auschwitz, he asked to die in place of another prisoner who had a family.  Martyrdom was this act of love that Father Kolbe performed.



The Gospel of Luke speaks of persecution and death for the followers of Jesus.  However, Jesus affirms that his followers would not be harmed.  The promise of this protection speaks of the eternal reward of Heaven.  The reality of martyrdom for the early Christians was ever present in their minds, but the love for God and the mission of the Church was stronger than fear of persecution, even death.  Pope Francis recently said that the Apostles “even saw their persecution as a badge of honor that made them capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, bearing witness to Him with their lives.”

 

Today, martyrdom is very much a reality for many Christians around the world.  Religious Persecution is occurring globally.   We see this happening more evidently in Iraq.  In May 2013, Archbishop Tomasi from Vatican Radio reported that an estimated 100,000 Christians are killed every year for their faith, which is roughly 250-300 Christian martyrs dying for the faith every day.  Some theologians have said martyrdom is not always obtained by bloodshed.   The term white martyrdom has been coined for those who have accepted and offered up to God other forms of tremendous suffering without undergoing a violent death.  St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. John Paul II would be examples of such martyrs.

 

Martyrs do not negotiate the faith.  They persevere and stand firm.  When we are called to witness, what is our faith like?  Is it strong or is it watered down?  As I have previously said in past letters, discipleship is not easy.  It comes with crosses to bear, but Christ’s graces are ever present for us to accept.  Pope Francis suggests this daily prayer:

 

"Lord, thank you so much for my faith. Preserve my faith, increase it. May my faith be strong and courageous.”