1. There are times when martyrdom is a sacred duty. Thus the martyrs regarded it. They testified to the words of our Savior: “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?” (Matt 16:26). In order to save our soul for eternity, we, too, must be ready to sacrifice blood and life rather than separate ourselves from God and our Faith. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us” (2 Tim 2:12). — Have you always taken eternity into account?
2. Martyrdom is a great grace. Many of us shudder when we hear an account of the gruesome tortures inflicted on the martyrs, and we ask in fear, “How could they endure it?” But why should we be afraid? On the one hand, God never asks the impossible of us. On the other, when the decisive moment comes, the same good God raises the soul to such heights of love that it cries out with St. Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or persecution, or the sword? But in all these things we overcome because of Him who has loved us” (Rom 8:35-37). — No one, including yourself, has reason to become fainthearted or to despair.
3. Martyrdom brings a superabundant reward. Christ has assured us: “Greater love than this no man has than that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Therefore, making the sacrifice of our life for our best Friend, Jesus, cancels all our sins and all the guilt of sin and takes us at once to heaven. That is why the martyrs said to their torturers, in the words of the Machabees: “You indeed destroy us out of this present life; but the King of the world will raise us up to life” (2 Mac 7:9). — Always keep eternity and the bliss of eternity in mind, and everything will be easy.
from July 8: St. Gregory Grassi and Companions, The Franciscan Book of Saints, Habig.
St. Gregory Grassi and Companion Martyrs with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. All from the 120 Martyrs of China.
