“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Saturday, 21st October 2017.
Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rom 4: 13, 16-18;
Ps 105: 6-9, 42-43 (R) 8;
Lk 12: 8-12.
Strength and ability are proved by tests than mere certificates. This is also true of our faith. Not many will stand the test of faith. Jesus knows it and therefore he wants to give a clear lesson in the Gospel. The words of Jesus in the Gospel may sound strange to us, his conditions with terms like ‘if’, ‘but’, present him to be business minded. However, a closer look at his intentions would reveal to us that Jesus is rather making clear, the discipleship he expects. He is not speaking in parables now. Christ is demanding an unshaken trust in God and a strong conviction in following Him in all circumstances.
One of the greatest examples of those who acknowledge Jesus before others is that of the martyrs. One martyr after another throughout history gave witness to their love of God by holding firm to their faith despite persecution and death. One such martyr was St. Ignatius of Antioch, whose feast we celebrated on October 17. Below is an excerpt from a famous letter St. Ignatius wrote to his followers once he was arrested and headed for martyrdom by being fed to the lions: “I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God.”
This statement is inspiring and powerful. It’s easy for us to read it, be in awe of his courage, talk about him to others, believe in his witness, but very hard to take one step closer to making this same faith and courage our own. It’s easy to talk about the great saints and to be inspired by them. But it’s very difficult to actually imitate them.
Think about your own life in the light of the Gospel passage from today. Do you freely, openly and fully acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and God before others? Reflect, today, upon whether you are only inspired by the martyrs or if you actually imitate them. If it’s the former, pray that their inspiring witness effects a powerful change in your life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the witness of the great saints, especially the martyrs. May their witness enable me to live a life of holy faith in imitation of each one of them. Give me the grace to live this witness with courage. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.