Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Today we remember the martyrs Saint Paul Miki and Companions. They were murdered for their faith. And our Gospel of Mark reflects the death of John the Baptist at the hand of Herod.

And we pray in our morning prayer that we too will hold fast to the faith, even unto death, if necessary.

And it is a wake up call for all believers to ask, do I love God that much? Is Jesus Christ real to me? Enough to die for if required?

Maybe the first question is, do I have faith enough to live for Jesus Christ?
Do I place him first above all and seek times all day to pray and sit with him in adoration or just take a few minutes to sit in his church and be with Christ.

Who is he in my life? The guiding light and principle that all I do is built on, organized toward, reflected in?

It is a big question to ask if our faith would last through torture and death like the martyrs.

Let us spend today and make sure we are living for him first. If we live for him and open our hearts to him each day, the answer to all questions will be set in our spirit.

Persevere in faith. Hold on to Jesus’ word and teachings. Hope in him alone. That is how we should live and die.