Are you ready to be a martyr?
- Fr Raphael Ma, CR
- Luke 21: 5-19
A Resurrectionist Vocation Minute for November 13th, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Are you ready to be a martyr?
Today, the word “martyr” has come to mean a person who dies for a cause they believe in. But our English word “martyr” comes from the Greek verb μαρτυρεο, “martureo” which simply means “to witness” or “to give testimony.” To give up one’s life is merely to give the supreme witness or testimony to what one believes in. And for Christians, it’s also the supreme witness to and supreme imitation of the life of Jesus.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples about wars and insurrections, natural disasters, persecutions, and that some of them will be put to death. But they should not be terrified, because this will give them an opportunity to “martureo”, to testify.
For many of us, the thought of talking to others about our faith is uncomfortable, even terrifying. And Jesus tells us not to prepare ourselves in advance! Because when the time comes, He promises to give us the words and the wisdom we need. Even if people hate us, and put some of us to death, He promises that not a hair of our heads will perish in the end. That’s a bold promise. Do I trust Jesus’ word enough to be willing to give witness to Him with my words and the manner of my life? We are not all called to die for Jesus, but we are all called to be His witnesses – and He promises to help us do that.
“We believe that God calls us to work together for the resurrection of society, bringing His life and love to all: through our personal witness, through the witness of our life in community, and through our community apostolates, primarily through parish work and teaching.”