A local high-school student, 11th grade I think, told me that she needed to do an interview for a school history project she was working on. The topic was the witness of the martyrs in the Church. We talked a bit about the subject and she subsequently sent me some questions. I happily put a few thoughts together about the martyrs and their witness in the history of the Church. Maybe you might find it interesting.
1. How did persecution strengthen Christianity?
First, it gave us a chance to give witness to the resurrection of Jesus. When Christians are willing to stand firm in the faith even when threatened with loss of life or property, or with going to jail, they show that their faith is for real, and that Christ is truly alive to give them strength. This example of courage gives strength to those who are weak in the faith, so their faith grows. Everyday Christians look to the example of the martyrs to give us courage to live our faith.
2. Have martyrs played a key role in sustaining our religion? If so how?
The martyrs have played a key role since the beginning of the Church. The martyrdom of St Stephen, for example, is already talked about in the Bible (Acts of the Apostles). His martyrdom was seen as an example of following the example of Jesus. Stephen was unjustly killed, yet he forgave his persecutors. This is the new way of life taught by Christ. Love overcomes hatred and persecution. The stories of the early martyrs were told and written down as a way of showing how the Lord gives us grace to follow his example. Today, when many Christians are persecuted around the world, their example gives courage and confirms the faith of the rest of us. Think of the example of José Sánchez del Río who was a 14 year old martyr during the persecution of the Church in Mexico, not that long ago. Today he is widely known and many young people are devoted to him.
Today we also see many Christians persecuted in many parts of the world. Many are dying in Africa and the Middle East because they will not deny their love and faith in Christ. Many non-Christians are also persecuted in the violent places of today's world. We must try to help those persecuted, and work to stop the violence. Because, even though the martyrs strengthen the Church, we are called to defend those who are persecuted, whether they are Christians or not.
3. Why have we been targeted for so long?
Christ came to break the power of evil, sin and death, all of which still have a strong hold in many hearts. Christ suffered death to overcome this darkness. He rose from the dead to open up for human beings a new hope in the power of love, goodness and life. Yet the Lord does not force people to follow his way of peace, forgiveness and mercy. So we will continue to encounter opposition from people who value power and control and violence. Christians will always need to be prepared to respond to hatred with mercy, and this means we must always be prepared ultimately to suffer so as to witness to Christ's teaching and to his love. But, there is something else going on here. A Christian is in this world, but we are called not to play its games of earthly power.
Our loyalty is to Christ first. He is our true King. Over the centuries we have lived to serve Christ and to serve people in need. Yet, we must refuse to obey earthly kings when they ask us to do something that is opposed to Christ's teaching. Historically, earthly kings and dictators do not usually tolerate people who obey God first. That is one of the main reasons why there have been persecutions of Christians at different times and places in world history.
4. How have we remained so strong?
Well, human beings are weak in many ways. And nobody likes suffering. So it is a sign of the power of God's grace to strengthen us that the Church remains alive and strong. In a sense, that the Church continues to live and grow is a sign that Christ has risen from the dead, and that his life flows through the Church. Of course, members of the Church are weak and can sin, even to the point of denying Christ. There is forgiveness for anyone who sincerely asks the Lord for it, though. There is a great mystery at work in this. St Paul was someone who persecuted the Church, and he even participated in the cruel martyrdom of St Stephen. Yet, after Stephen was killed, Paul was converted, received mercy and forgiveness and became a great apostle. Many sinners have been converted by the example and prayers of the martyrs.
5. Without martyrs would we be where we are today?
No, we would not. God does not will the suffering of the martyrs, but he does will that we live in the way of Christ, and sometimes that means loving our persecutors and being willing to suffer for our faith. It is part of the mystery of God's providence that people have lived by the grace of Christ's love in such a powerful way that they willingly gave their lives for him. This witness gives us strength. There is an old saying in the Church: "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians". Many come to faith because they see the power of God's love in the lives of the martyrs. It is this love we are called to witness. We thank God for the witness of the martyrs. And we pray God protect those who suffer persecution.
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