SABBATH MARTYRDOM, ANYONE? We commemorate today the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first canonized Filipino martyr-saint. Almost always, when we speak of martyrdom, we think of shedding one’s life for a greater cause, either for the country or for the faith, or for both. Lorenzo Ruiz gave up his life for the faith: “I am a Christian, and for Christ I will offer a thousand lives if I have them,” hence, giving pride to our country for having a simple but dedicated man elevated to the rank of the saints. Who among us today will be willing to do even a fraction of this great sacrifice? The Gospel today finds Jesus telling His disciples, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” Of course, His disciples did not understand Him, they kept asking themselves what that meant. They were confused, for they were not ready to embrace the great sacrifice that was looming in the horizon for their great Master. But Lorenzo, in his lifetime, knew. And he embraced it. The witnessing of Lorenzo Ruiz, his act of courage and fidelity to his life of faith, is truly worthy of emulation. The First Reading today captures the disposition of Lorenzo’s heart. Even amidst the torments and insults he experienced in Japan when he was asked to denounce his faith, he did not falter because he experienced the glory of God, the encircling wall of fire we read in Zechariah today. Lorenzo was assured that the Lord will come to dwell in him, and he offered his great sacrifice as his greatest gift to God Himself. Martyrdom today does not demand us to shed our blood, or even give up all our possessions for God, if only to show our radical witnessing to His love. The Lord today only wants us to be always ready to embrace sacrifices as He did in His earthly ministry, culminating in His death and the victory of the cross. We can also be martyrs for Christ. And this we do by living out our faith in the Lord. Let Lorenzo Ruiz be our guide. San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you willing and ready to offer your life to the Lord? Lord, You made our brother Filipino, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, a shining example of how it is to be God’s servant. May we, in our ordinariness, be willing to offer extraordinary sacrifices for the glory of Your name. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 21:07:55 +0000
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