Martyrdom

I'm willing to bet that most Catholics don't consider martyrdom very often—that is to say, their own martyrdom. This is probably because the chances of being killed for the Faith are small, at least in America. But small does not mean impossible (even in America). In fact, even today a Catholic is obliged to accept the gift of martyrdom rather than deny the Faith. But let me quote Pope John Paul II before I go on...

"Although martyrdom represents the high point of the witness to moral truth, and one to which relatively few people are called, there is nonetheless a consistent witness which all Christians must daily be ready to make, even at the cost of suffering and grave sacrifice. Indeed, faced with the many difficulties which fidelity to the moral order can demand, even in the most ordinary circumstances, the Christian is called, with the grace of God invoked in prayer, to a sometimes heroic commitment. In this he or she is sustained by the virtue of fortitude, whereby--as Gregory the Great teaches--one can actually "love the difficulties of this world for the sake of eternal rewards." From the Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor (the Spelndor of Truth) by Pope John Paul II.

Which brings me back to my first points:

1. Martyrdom, though relatively few are called to it, does happen, and someday it could potentially happen to you or to me. Sure, it is unlikely, but the fact that every Catholic is obliged to accept death rather than deny Christ, should such an occasion present itself, is a stunning thing! It’s no accident that Pope John Paul II spoke about martyrdom more than any Pope in modern times—the world especially today needs Catholics who have the faith of martyrs, and that includes you and I—and of course, if God does bless you with the grace of martyrdom He will give you the grace to hold fast, no matter what, so no need to go around worrying about it.

2. Martyrdom is a gift! It is a gift because it gives a person the opportunity to love Jesus in the highest way possible, because as Jesus said, “no greater love has one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And it is also a gift because someone who is martyred (killed) out of hatred for the Faith goes straight to Heaven.

3. Martyrdom, however, is not always “red” martyrdom (being killed out of hatred for the Faith). More common today is what is called “white” martyrdom: suffering little or very much (though not to the point of death) for the Faith. “White” martyrdom is something we will probably encounter almost every day in some measure or another. But “white” martyrdom does not mean it is easy! In fact, Fr. Hardon said that he thinks “red” martyrdom may be easier—as he said, “you’re killed, and it’s over with”, while “white” martyrdom is ongoing. Yes, I think we would all agree that laying down your life every day for love of Jesus and His Bride, the Church, is no easy thing.

4. And at last we have to remember to be prudent. St. Thomas More provides us with a great example. He tried to avoid being killed, but when it came down to it and it was unavoidable, he accepted martyrdom. We shouldn’t go seeking to be killed for the faith or to bring sufferings upon ourselves: “it is God’s place not ours to bring us to such point”, as St. Thomas More says in A Man for All Seasons. But if we are trying to live according to the Gospel, sufferings will inevitably come. In fact, if things keep going the way they have been there will come a time (if it has not come already) when there will be only two kinds of Catholics: those who remain faithful and orthodox, living lives of heroic virtue to be so; and those who do not. Thankfully, Jesus said that those who suffer for what is righteous are blessed! There is a real, supernatural joy in suffering for Christ. And being heroic in our faith is catching. When one sees others being heroic it is well nigh impossible to not want to do as they do. We get caught up in their fervor. The same thing happened with the first Christians, who when watching their brothers and sisters in Christ being given the gift of martyrdom would accidentally betray their own Christian identity (which was illegal and punishable with death) by cheering them on and encouraging them to keep their faith in Jesus even as they faced bodily death; and some Christians who had denied their faith under threat of death or torture, seeing their fellows bravely facing death rather than deny Jesus, repented and recanted and became martyrs after all. I suspect this is one reason that reading the lives of the Saints is such a fulfilling thing, and once you start it is hard to stop—we get caught up in the fervor of their love for Jesus and His Church, we want to follow their example.

Let’s pray for each other as we try to lead such lives of heroic virtue, because we can’t do it without God’s grace. And do read Veritatis Splendor, you won’t be disappointed!

Then read something by P G Wodehouse, because if we’re going to be Saints, we should be cheerful Saints, and when you’re having a tough time (and who doesn’t now and again, or most days?) and need some levity, well, as one reviewer said, “It is impossible to read P G Wodehouse and be sad at the same time—and I’ve tried!” I’ve tried as well and he’s right, it’s absolutely impossible.