Commentary on the Gospel of
The word “martyr” comes from a Greek word usually translated as “witness.” The early Church saw those we call martyrs as the ultimate witnesses of the Christian faith since they would not waver from their faith in Jesus, even in the face of torture and death. The power of their witness drew others to this faith. As Pope Paul VI taught, people listen more to witnesses than to teachers. If our proclamation of the faith is to be effective, it will be because, like the martyrs, we back up our words by the way we live.
How do our lives witness to our faith? We live as children of God, responding in faith, hope, and love to the challenges we face every day. We live by recognizing that God is more powerful than we could ever dream of being. We trust that God will protect us and support us, no matter what trials we face – rejection, ridicule, even death. If we follow Christ, even unto death, we will share In his resurrection as well.
