Reflect today if you are inspired only by martyrs or if you really imitate them

Jesus said to his disciples: "Truly I tell you, whoever recognizes me before others the Son of man will recognize before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God". Luke 12: 8-9

One of the greatest examples of those who recognize Jesus before others is that of martyrs. One martyr after another throughout history has testified to their love for God by remaining steadfast in their faith despite persecution and death. One of these martyrs was St. Ignatius of Antioch. Below is an excerpt from a famous letter that St. Ignatius wrote to his followers when he was arrested and headed for martyrdom by being fed to the lions. He wrote:

I write to all the churches to let them know that I will gladly die for God if only you do not hinder me. I beg you: don't show me untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am the grain of God and I will be ground with their teeth so that I can become the pure bread of Christ. Pray to Christ for me that animals are the means to make me a sacrificial victim for God.

No earthly pleasure, no kingdom of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power on the ends of the earth. The one who died instead of us is the only object of my research. He who has risen for us is my only desire.

This statement is inspiring and powerful, but here's an important insight that could easily be missed by reading it. The intuition is that it is easy for us to read him, to be in awe of his courage, to talk about him to others, to believe in his testimony, etc ... but not to take a step forward to make this same faith and courage our own. It is easy to talk about the great saints and be inspired by them. But it is very difficult to really imitate them.

Think of your life in the light of today's Gospel passage. Do you freely, openly and fully recognize Jesus as your Lord and God before others? You don't have to go around being some kind of "cheeky" Christian. But you must easily, freely, transparently and completely allow your faith and love for God to shine, especially when it is uncomfortable and difficult. Do you hesitate to do this? Most likely you do. Most likely all Christians do. For this reason, Saint Ignatius and the other martyrs are excellent examples for us. But if only examples remain, their example is not enough. We must live their testimony and become the next Saint Ignatius in the witness that God calls us to live.

Reflect today if you are inspired only by martyrs or if you really imitate them. If it's the former, pray for their inspiring testimony to effect a powerful change in your life.

Lord, thank you for the testimony of the great saints, especially the martyrs. May their testimony enable me to live a life of holy faith in imitation of each of them. I choose You, dear Lord, and I recognize You, on this day, before the world and above all else. Give me the grace to live this testimony with courage. Jesus I believe in you.