Composed by: Br. Raymond Penefort
 
Need we say more and do pictures speak louder than words—a thousand words?  And what could have been done?
 
The world watches, ourselves included, while our brethren die simply, as the Pope says, because they are the people of Christ.  And do we realize and accept that this sacrifice was exemplified as Our Lord gave His life because of the sins of those whom He nevertheless still loved?  Somewhat confusing to love those who persecute You.
 
And what of the martyrs?  What makes a Martyr?  Must one be aware of his fate and become one knowingly?
 
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “martyr” comes from the Greek word “martus,” signifying a witness who testifies to a fact of which he has knowledge from a personal observation.  The apostles were witnesses—witnesses to Christ as the Prince and Savior of Israel.  And because of this witness they must obey God rather than man.  The apostles faced death and danger every day because of this.  St. Stephen also was a witness who sealed his witness with blood.  From the Church’s earliest history, martyrs have been identified as those who died for their faith.
 
Is it only through the blood of martyrs in the distant past that we come together as a people and followers of Christ?  Just look at the above picture.  Why after hundreds, thousands of years must such sacrifices go on, and from individuals who, knowingly and unknowingly, have been slaughtered all over the world by Christians and non-Christians as well? 
 
We now have much relevance and think ourselves secure regarding religious liberties.  Recently, however, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore, citing the massacre of Coptic Christians in Egypt, gives a different opinion regarding the situation of religious liberties in the US.  He sounds a warning:
 
          There have been efforts by governments at all levels as well as by
          Institutions and individuals to curb the expression of religion thereby
          Reducing religious freedom to the freedom to worship.  We are
          Being told in effect, to practice our faith within the walls of our churches.
          This, of course runs counter to the example of Jesus Christ whose
          Public ministry continues to be a model for not only the Catholic
          Church but all Christian churches.
                                                          [Opening Mass Fortnight for Freedom]
 
Of some hope was the recent Supreme Court decision involving the granting of equal religious rights in Missouri.  This decision specifically was turning down the Blaine Amendment that was enacted primarily to limit certain rights of Catholics and Mormons in that state.  Some progress is being made, but still we could find ourselves facing more and even dangerous threats as our environment becomes fanatically humanistic, atheistic and less one of Godliness.
 
It was not all that long ago that here in Maryland there was much bigotry, prejudice and yes, even physical persecution.  The Catholic Act of Toleration, put in place by the Calverts, that recognized religious choice was revoked with the effort of Puritans who then began a reign of discrimination and persecution of the Catholics for whom the State was founded.
 
For may years, there were periods of religious upheaval; some of the worst occurring in Baltimore in the fall of 1856 when the Know Nothing Party began, in wild anti-Catholic rage attacking Irish and German, primarily Catholic, immigrants.  Among those shot to death was Christian Lindig, a totally innocent boy not long arrived from Germany.  A Catholic, he was sixteen.  Among other incidents were the shooting of the pastor of Holy Cross and the burning of the Holy Cross Catholic School.
 
Elsewhere, in Louisville, KY, in 1855, mobs attacked Catholic immigrants, killing 22 people.
 
In Philadelphia, earlier in 1844, twenty-one were killed and two Catholic churches were burned to the ground.
 
Unfortunately, this story could go on, but the point to be made historically is the more recent atrocities and deaths committed against innocent persons who frequently didn’t know that this end was coming and in this way.  Were they still martyrs knowingly or unknowingly?  The 16-year-old boy killed in the street in Baltimore was put to death for what he was and what he believed.  Was this different from St. Steven, St. Thomas More or the recent Christians killed in Cairo?  They made or were made the final sacrifice.
 
As true believers and as Roman Catholics, if we are persecuted for our faith, we die as martyrs.
 
Who would have wanted to minimalize or trivialize these deaths?  Certainly not Our Lord Jesus Who was the example to the Martyr.  He Who suffered in the garden but walked into His crucifixion and death did so not only for the Martyrs but in forgiveness even to those who caused His suffering.  His was the ultimate sacrifice:  to die for the just and persecuted and to die for the redemption of the sinners and the persecutors.  He was thus a Martyr.
 
A beautiful old Catholic hymn comes to mind:  for Our Lord and for all Martyrs:
 
          Oh, what could my Jesus do more, or what greater blessing impart
          Oh, silence my soul and adore and press Him still near to my heart.
          ’Tis here from my labors I’ll rest since He makes my poor heart His abode.
          To Him all my cares I’ll address and speak to the heart of my God.
          For life and for death Thou art mine.  My Savior, I’m sealed with Thy blood.
          Till eternity on me doth shine, I’ll feed on the flesh of my God.
          In Jesus triumphant I live.  In Jesus exulting I die--
          The terrors of death calmly brave, in His bosom breathe out my last sigh.
                                                                   [Hymnary, Calvin College]
 
A beautiful prayer could be that we as Christians pray for our country and support Archbishop Lori’s annual religious campaign, Fortnight for Religious Freedom, whose 2017 theme was “Freedom for Mission.”
 
 
Reference
Image: Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2017 edition
 
 

Reflections on the Feast of St. Dominic
Composed by: Sr. Caterina
 
Today’s readings for the Feast of Saint Dominic have a word in common:  COME.  Moses, Aaron and Miriam are commanded by God to “Come out, you three, to the meeting tent.” (Numbers 12:3) and in the gospel Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. He said, “come”(Matthew 14:28).

“Come” is such a small word.  It is only four letters long, but the implications are great if we pay attention to the context in which it is used.  It is also a prolific word that is used 1894 times in scripture.
Let us ponder some of the meanings attributed to “come”.

In the case of Miriam and Aaron, God was calling them to task regarding their envy of Moses and his face-to-face encounters with God.  In this instance, “come” was more a stern command where God summoned Miriam and Aaron to account for their unholy attitude.

In the gospel reading, Peter and the disciples were on a “sinking ship,”so to speak, that was being buffeted about by the wind.  It must have been a life-threatening situation as these were seasoned fishermen who were used to erratic weather on the local seas.They see Jesus approaching the boat by walking on the water.  They think he is a ghost.  A terrified Peter asks “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.  Jesus said, ‘come.’”   This occurrence of “come” is in the form of granting permission to a plea from Peter.  Jesus issued this “come” to challenge Peter’s faith.

Have you had a conversation with someone who used the phrase, “Come, now” in reference to being at odds with something you shared?  This “come” is a gentle reproof asking us to reassess our thoughts or motives.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  (Matthew 11:28)  In this instance, “come” is a loving invitation to an intimate relationship with Jesus.  Walk beside him; draw near; sit by his side; learn from him; and let him ease our burdens.
 
No matter the context in which we hear the word, “come,” it is a verb – a call to action.  When “come” is used, there is always someone calling and someone being called.  There is a “call andresponse” nature at work here.  Jesus calls us toward “something” or to take “some action” and it is up to us to respond and take the proffered invitation toward him.  When we recognize the call to “come,” the next step is to prayerfully say, “Here I am, Lord” and then discern, “To what are you calling me, Lord?” 
 
What kind of “come” is the Lord offering to you?

• Is it to amend a sinful behavior or unholy attitude?
• Could it be a calling forth to deepen your faith in God?
• Perhaps it is a gentle reproof to rethink some unholy patterns into which we have fallen.
• Might it be the loving invitation to draw near to the Lord to find comfort, love, hope or solace?

 
All of the above examples of “come” have been issued from God toward a specific person or to us in general.
 
There is yet another instance of “come” that is worthy of reflection.  In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”  With His Incarnation, Jesus took action at His Father’s bidding and came to us in order to save us from our sins.  A call came from broken humanity who knew not the terrible condition of our sinful state and yet, our magnanimous God responded to this “come.”  This is the greatest call and response ever witnessed.  Ever.
 
Our relationship with God is not one sided where He is the only one to say “come.”  We, too, can issue the invitation for God to come to us.  We can call upon God to “come” and help us to amend our lives or to respond to our petitions on behalf of others.  In either scenario, He comes.  Oh, how He comes!  When we humbly call upon God’s mercy, He responds.  His response may be in ways that we do not understand nor as quickly we want to see a response, but He does come.
 
When God beckons us to “come,” to what is He calling us and are we willing respondents?  Knowing that God will respond, into what part of your life would you like to invite God to “come” and abide with you? 
 
Hint:  He wants to come and be with you in every way and in all things!
 
Reference: 
Scripture quotes are from the New Revised Standard/Catholic Edition bible.
Photo Credit: http://diysolarpanelsv.com/images/jesus-arms-open-on-hill-silohette-clipart-33.jpg