Saturday 14 July
Matthew 10:24-33
There can be little doubt that in Jesus’ teaching there was an expectation that his followers would suffer for their faith. Against this backdrop of persecution he taught that we should not fear the one who can kill the body but rather the One who can destroy both body and soul – namely God himself. This is a powerful and rather overwhelming teaching for sure, because as we know physical torments of even a trivial kind are hard to endure, let alone being hung, drawn and quartered, or worse!
The truth is we stand on the shoulders of giants when it comes to martyrdom and we should thank God for these great heroes because, as Tertullian pointed out in the second century, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.’ The ground of the early Church was soaked in the blood of those who loved not this world but gave up their lives for Christ and his Church. We should pray and ask the Holy Spirit to renew in our day the spirit of the martyrs: the spirit which is prepared to abandon oneself in service of God and the Church, whatever the cost.
Of course, all renewal in the Catholic Church begins first with the clergy, and we pray that they may lead us in a renewal of our baptismal promises and bear witness to the courage needed today to bear witness for Christ. It begins with them because they are our appointed shepherds. The shepherd leads and guides the sheep.
Consider, if you will, the witness of St Ignatius of Antioch whose enthusiasm for martyrdom knew no bounds. He prayed: ‘Please let me be thrown to the wild beasts: through them I can reach God. I am God’s wheat: I am going to be ground by the wild beasts so that I may become the pure bread of Christ. If anything, coax the beasts to become my sepulchre and to leave nothing of my body undevoured so that, when I am dead, I may be no longer trouble to anyone.’
We praise and give thanks to God for the men and women who have set us an example of dying for Christ so that they may rise again with him on the last day.
‘Speak up, man, and be not afraid!’ (St John Rigby spoke these words to the foreman of the jury who mumbled the verdict of death to the saint, so ashamed was he.)
Isaiah 6:1-8 • Psalm 92(93):1-2, 5
Matthew 10:24-33
Daily Reflections
Subscribe to Bible Alive today, and read Daily Reflections wherever you are!
Can't find a book?
Fill out our enquiry form to register interest in a particular Catholic/ Christian book.
Holy Cross Parcels
Make a difference by making a donation and buying a Holy Cross Parcel. Click here
Twitter and Facebook
Pope Francis Special Bumper Edition of Faith Today
Click here to read Joanna Moorhead's blog from the Conclave and the Inauguration
Free Faith Pack
FREE Faith Pack
worth over £30/€50!!
with every new subscription to
Bible Alive or Faith Today.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Faith Today Trial Subscription
Try out Faith Today for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Faith Today this way and have been with us for years.
Trial Bible Alive Subscription
Try out Bible Alive for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Bible Alive this way and have been with us for years.
Give it a go today!
Walk With Me
Walk with Me is a prayer and scripture journey for the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter.
Alive Design – Wedding Stationery
Catholic Today Newspaper
Catholic Today is the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Birmingham with the latest Birmingham Catholic news and videocasts.
Christian Publications
Bible Alive - Subscription
Latest Catholic Articles
Daily Reflections
Bible Alive daily reflections are written in an accessible and warm style inviting you to penetrate and plumb the depths of the scripture reading of the day.
Latest Daily Bible ReflectionFree Catalogue
