At that time: So many people were crowding together that they
were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his
disciples, "Beware of the leaven-- that is, the hypocrisy-- of the
Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret
that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will
be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be
proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those
who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes,
I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small
coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of
your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many
sparrows." (Luke 12: 1-7)
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in
prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I
need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense
generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.
Petition: Lord, give me
courage to keep following you even in the face of temptation.
1. Lion Food: St.
Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was arrested and then transported to Rome, where
death by lions awaited him. In a letter, he urges the Romans to do him no
“untimely charity” of interceding with the emperor to spare him from execution.
He writes to them, “I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable goodwill
towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose
instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God” (Letter to the Romans).
These North American martyrs were of a similar mind. When Christ speaks of
having no fear of those who kill the body but after that can do no more, he
means it quite literally. If we encounter a situation in which we must either
be faithful to Christ or cave in to pressure and abandon the path of the Lord,
we should never hesitate. Follow Christ. Do not fear those who might “kill” by their criticism or
disapproval of our rectitude of conscience. Do not be afraid.
2. Becoming Eucharist: St.
Ignatius also wrote, “I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the
wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God” (Letter to the Romans).
He is drawing a connection between his own coming martyrdom—wheat ground by the
teeth of wild beasts—and the Eucharist—the pure bread of God. These words are
not just grisly yet pious analogy; rather, they touch on the most profound meaning
of the mystery of the Eucharist and our participation in it. The Eucharist is
the most complete worship given to God the Father: It is the Incarnation of God
among us, it is Christ’s sacrifice of his body on the Cross, and it is his
Resurrection from death to eternal life. Through the Eucharist we become an
acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. Just like the martyrs whose feast we
celebrate today, we need to offer the struggles and challenges of each day in
order to remain united with Christ in the Eucharist.
3. More than Birds: In
our daily life we take many small things for granted because they seem to have
little import in the grand scheme of things. “What were the high and low
temperatures a year ago today?” “What does it matter now?” we might as well
respond. “Where will the four sparrows I saw in the park two weeks ago get food
to eat?” It’s not even a question that occurs to us. We have many other things
of immediate importance that require our attention and action. Yet such a
question is important enough to occur to God. Christ tells us in Luke
12:24, “They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God
feeds them.” He continues, “And how much more are you worth than the birds!” If
God would make time to think about something so insignificant among all the
goings-on in the world, how much more will he be taking care of our needs!
Conversation with Christ: Lord,
when I look at the difficulties and rough spots I know I will be facing today,
I worry about the sacrifices I’ll have to make. Maybe events won’t turn out as
I hope. Help me to have confidence and trust in you like Saint Isaac Jogues and
John de Brébeuf. Help me realize that you have taken care of every minute
detail of all that will occur today.
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