Martyrs for the Faith
As I was reviewing our Lesser Feasts and Fasts for this week, it struck me that we are to remember three martyrs for the faith from the late 3rd to early 4th centuries. Fabian, Agnes, and Vincent all were bold witnesses to the truth of Jesus Christ. All three were persecuted, condemned, and died under the oppressive Roman Emperors of the time: Fabian, Bishop and Martyr in Rome, 250 (January 20); Agnes, Martyr in Rome at 12 years old, 304 (January 21); Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa in Spain and Martyr, 304 (January 22). All three remind us of the sometimes painful cost of discipleship.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to proclaim the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness, of the power of love to overcome evil and injustice. Sometimes it’s easy to offer simple acts of kindness to show God’s love. However, if we are called by the Spirit to proclaim the Gospel boldly, especially as we live into our Baptismal call to strive for justice and peace, we may not be so well received.
I’m reflecting on a few 20th century martyrs for the faith.
During the turbulent time of the civil rights struggle in the United States, Martin Luther King dreamed of a world of God’s peace and harmony among all people and was killed for his bold proclamations of God’s justice for all.
Responding to Mary’s Song - to cast down the mighty from their thrones and lift up the lowly- and to Martin Luther King’s call to assist with voter registration in the South, Jonathan Daniels, Episcopal seminarian, literally laid his life down for Ruby Sales in Hayneville, Alabama, near Selma.
Another 20th century martyr is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who took seriously his call to discipleship. In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer affirmed discipleship requires commitment, even when following Jesus is difficult. Discipleship included both personal spiritual growth and a call to live out the faith in community. He witnessed the failure of the German Church to resist the Nazi regime. He dared to oppose the regime with his bold witness to the truth of Jesus Christ, was persecuted, sent to the Camps, and died there holding fast to his faith and to the redemptive love of Jesus.
In our 21st century, I have heard Episcopal leadership remind us that the love of Jesus is the most powerful force for change. I have heard the call to meet hatred and anger with Jesus’ love. In our current world of injustice, violence, and suffering, each of us has to decide for ourselves what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Will we care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will we use the faith we’ve found, to reshape the world around? May we each hear God’s call and boldly follow where He leads us.
Epiphany Blessings, Judy Q +
