Bible
Study: 2nd Timothy 1, 1 to 3 and 6 to 12.
Mark 12, 18 to 27.
There is something striking
about the life of Saint Justin whose memorial we celebrate today. He was
neither a priest nor a bishop. He wasn’t even a Christian from birth. He was
still a fresh convert to the Christian faith when he became an outstanding
apologist going about explaining to people the truth about the Christian faith.
And guess what, this was an age and time when the mere mention of being a
Christian warranted a death sentence.
In the life of Saint Justin,
we see how being a Christian does not give room for any form of timidity as
Paul advises Timothy in today’s first reading. “For this reason, I remind you
to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my
hands; for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and
love and self-control. Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord.”
The problem with most of us Christians
today is that we are too ashamed of proclaiming our faith before non-believers.
We just keep quiet and blend in with others even when our faith is mocked
openly. At times, we assume that since we are neither priests nor reverend
sisters, we lack what it takes to explain the faith to others. Hence St. Justin
becomes for us today a model of an ideal layman.
As the Catholic-Online-Website
describes Justin, “this layman became the first great apologist for Christianity
and opened the gates of light for so many others. He explained baptism and
Eucharist. He explained to the pagans why Christians didn't worship idols and
why that didn't make them atheists. He explained to the Jews how Christians
could worship the same God but not follow Jewish laws. He explained to the
Greeks and the philosophers how philosophy did not take into account the
dignity of humankind. He wrote long arguments known as apologies and travelled
to other lands in order to debate publicly….
“It is not surprising that
Justin was arrested during the persecution under Marcus Aurelius. Along with
four others (Chariton, Charites, Paeon, and Liberianus) he was brought before
the Roman prefect, Rusticus, to be accused under the law that required sacrificing
to idols. When Rusticus demanded that they "Obey the gods at once, and
submit to the kings," Justin responded, "To obey the commandments of
our Saviour Jesus Christ is worthy neither of blame nor of condemnation."
“When Rusticus asked what
doctrines he believed, Justin told him that he had learned all the doctrines
available during his quest but finally submitted to the true doctrines of the
Christians… Just before Rusticus sentenced them he asked Justin, "If you
are killed do you suppose you will go to heaven?" Justin said, "I do
not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of it." Justin and his
fellow martyrs were beheaded in the year 165. He is often known as Justin
Martyr and his writings are still available.”
In our Gospel passage this
morning, we see that sometimes defending the faith may just be a matter of
simply providing clear answers to persons who formulate difficult questions in
other to cajole us into assuming that what we believe does not make sense. The
Sadducees came to Jesus with an impossible story about a woman who was married
to seven brothers. They were not seeking clarification about the resurrection,
instead, they were hoping to throw Jesus off-balance because they did not
believe in the possibility of people rising from the dead.
This question reminds me of
some difficult questions our separated brethren sometimes bring to us, for
instance concerning our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints.
They are questions that do not require a “Yes” or “No” answer. Note that Jesus
did not tell them which of the seven brothers would be the woman’s husband in
heaven instead he gave them a much deeper insight into what resurrection is all
about. The worst thing that can happen to you is providing a shallow answer to
a question that was well thought out by a person who intends to make a mockery
of you.
The rule of thumb in
defending your faith at any time is prayer. Always seek the help of the Holy
Spirit to enlighten you on what to say, how to say it, when to say it and what
not to say. This is exactly what St. Paul meant by “fanning into flames” or
“rekindling” the Spirit you have received. Call on the Holy Spirit constantly
for help. Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit at all times; wisdom,
understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of God.
Above all, even if you have
to suffer for your faith, never be ashamed of God. The fact that God did not
prevent Justin and his companions from death before the hands of the Roman
Prefect Rusticus, does not mean that God is powerless. As St. Paul noted: “For
this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I
suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am
sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” 2
Timothy 1, 11 to 12.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, empower me with
your Spirit that I may never be overcome by timidity in the defence of my faith
in you. Amen.
St. Justin, pray for us.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Happy new month.
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