Faithful to Christ Amid Temptation – Jun 03 – Homily – Fr Joseph M.
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Fr Joseph M. gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 03, 2025, on the Uganda martyrs’ courage and faith, urging us to resist sin and follow Jesus Christ faithfully.
Father begins by reflecting on the gospel, which reminds us that we belong to Jesus Christ and are called to share in His glory by keeping His word, as emphasized in John 17:6-19, where Jesus prays for His disciples to be sanctified in truth. He urges us to keep our hearts fixed on Christ, walking faithfully with Him, especially during the grace-filled period between Ascension and Pentecost, when we prepare to receive the Holy Spirit, as described in Acts 1:4-5.
Father then celebrates the Uganda martyrs, Charles Lwanga and Companions, 22 young men, some as young as 13, martyred in 1885-87 for refusing the king’s sinful demands. Their courage, rooted in their catechesis and faith, mirrors St. Maria Goretti’s defense of purity. He connects their witness to the call in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to give a defense for our faith. Father notes the relevance of these martyrs in June, a month often marked by worldly pride in sin, and stresses that true pride lies in faithfulness to God’s commandments, as taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 2145. He calls on youth to emulate these martyrs, resisting temptation and immorality to remain united with Christ, who promises eternal glory in John 17:24.
For Further Reading
John 17:6-19 - NAB - Jesus prays for disciples’ sanctification - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?6
Acts 1:4-5 - NAB - Promise of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/1?4
1 Peter 3:15 - NAB - Defending faith with courage - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/3?15
John 17:24 - NAB - Jesus promises eternal glory - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?24
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2145 - Faithful witness to Christ - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a2.htm#2145
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1816 - Disciples’ witness through martyrdom - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1816.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2473 - Martyrdom as supreme witness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2473.htm
Franciscan Media - Charles Lwanga - Profile of Uganda martyrs - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-charles-lwanga-and-companions
00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:10 – Gospel Reflection
01:16 – Uganda Martyrs Introduction
02:00 – Charles Lwanga’s Protection
02:36 – Martyrs’ Courageous Faith
03:39 – Resisting Worldly Temptation
Ave Maria!
Mass: Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=35
Readings: Tuesday 7th Week of Easter - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060325.cfm
1st: act 20:17-27
Resp: psa 68:10-11, 20-21
Gsp: joh 17:1-11
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1085&r=1728
Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16UjAjutm7/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/NgEBoczG5gQ
