Bible Reflections / Homilies

Dying for others as martyrs of faith

Posted by

The WORD in other words (2018) by Father Florante Camacho SVD – Bohol

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon – August 10

Image source : Wikimedia Commons

Fear of death is universal! Only because one believes that a greater good hopefully is obtained through it will one be willing to die with or without fear! National heroes are examples of this!

Church martyrs are of the same category with a difference: national heroes died for patriotic reasons while martyrs died out of their faith in the Risen Lord. They died without fear because the Lord had reassured them that there is life beyond the grave. He showed this by His own resurrection!

That was why St. Lawrence died willingly – his faith made a big difference. The blood of martyrs are the seeds of the conversion of many non-Christians in the past.

Not all of us are called to die for our faith in a bloody way. Yet, all of us are called to die slowly day by day so that others may live. How? By imitating the life of Jesus. Imitating Him is not always easy!

As parents, how often did it happen that you have to deny some pleasures, e.g., new shoes, appliance, etc. so that the children’s school fees are paid. You can multiply other sacrifices you have to undergo so that others may grow and live.

For Clerics or Religious, the day to day schedules in the convents can be hard to keep. But like St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Patron of the Missions, when done in His name, these chores become meaningful for the good of the Church.

Our baptism was an important point in our lives. Because we had to put on Christ’s life (symbolized by the white cloth), like Him we carry our daily crosses with a smile on our face. We joyfully die so that others may live.

Readings for the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon & Martyrs, August 10

Leave a Reply