Ordinary Martyrdom!

If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. (2 Timothy 2: 11-12)

Since Pentecost, we have leapt back into “Ordinary Time”, which seems to be rooted in the concepts of reaching out of one’s self in mission, trust, prayer, persistence, patience and sacrifice!

None of these concepts are by any means ordinary in our world today, but they are the basic foundation of living our faith. What is ordinary in faith, must seem extraordinary to the world. Take the example of St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. These Ugandans were martyred as they attempted to resist the immorality and the persecution of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga. While imprisoned, Charles taught the faith, and helped many come to an understanding of the true core of its teachings. At the height of their persecution, the group was led on a 37 mile hike to the place of their execution, Namugongo. After their arrival, they waited for several days, and then, on June 3, 1886 Charles and his companions (made up of Catholics and Protestants) were burned to death. As they awaited execution, they proclaimed “You can burn our bodies, but you cannot burn our souls!” While one of the group also exclaimed, “Goodbye, then. I am going to Heaven, and I will pray to God for you."

This is an “ordinary” response in faith, for in faith we have nothing to fear! Now I’m sure that we’re not all going be persecuted, and I thank God for that! But it follows, that in faith, we are all going be tested! St. Charles and his Companions were canonized in 1964, and set as an example to all, especially youth and those who put their faith into action. They are Saints because the world needs “extraordinary” examples to make faith more ordinary in their lives!

I do not dwell on martyrdom for the shock value, nor the tragedy. I also do not bring it up to call you or me to be a martyr today. I simply offer, that on this Feast Day for St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions, what is extraordinary in the sacrifice of few to live their faith to the bitter end, and share in the promise of Heaven, is actually quite ordinary to a person of faith. So, knowing that we might not actually have to die for Christ today, we should understand that the ease with which we sacrifice our time, energy, and self is indicative to strength of the faith we proclaim. If it seems ordinary to reach out of yourself in mission, trust, prayer, persistence, patience and sacrifice... Then we’re all in good hands!

50 ways to Get Through Easter... Dedication!

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7: 59-60)

Today’s word: Dedication!

Today marks the remembrance of the Martyrdom of St. Stephen... The first Martyr of the Faith. Today also marks the 17th anniversary of the unfortunate end to what simply known as “Waco”, as the government sought to end a standoff with a crazed cult leader. It has also been 15 years today since the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, where 168 people lost their lives.

The Prophet Jeremiah was told that he was DEDICATED as a prophet to the nations. St. Stephen showed DEDICATION to the faith through his courage and his forgiveness of those who sought to kill him. In Waco and in Oklahoma City, many innocent people lost their lives because of a crazed person’s need for power. Their memory is DEDICATED in memorials, and in our history, so that we would never again allow such a tragedy.

Today is about DEDICATION! Be DEDICATED to your faith, and DEDICATE your lives to serving those who are in need, as we attempt to DEDICATE ourselves as a nation to being a people of peace!