There are all sorts of martyrdoms. Some are savage, some polite. St Isaac Jogues, for instance, was slowly tortured by the Iroquois who cut off his fingers and ate them. Not nice.
Cyprian, however, was treated with courtesy and respect. The proconsuls pleaded with many of the Christians to offer sacrifice to the gods as the emperor demanded by placing just one tiny grain of incense on the fire. Surely there was nothing wrong in such a small compromise?
Many did compromise in this way. Cyprian and many others did not. A gentleman to the end, he gave the executioner a bag of money, knelt to be blindfolded and then be-headed.
It's a reminder that the seemingly little choices we have to make may be the most important. I'm reading Waugh's Sword of Honor trilogy at the moment and old Crouchback, in a line which is the theme of the book, says, "Quantitative judgements don't apply." When it comes to spiritual matters, the small grain of incense offered to the gods may be the price of your soul.
Likewise, every day we have the choice of mini martyrdoms. Will we make the choice for for prestige, self preservation, prosperity and power or will we make the choice of serving God and serving others? The principle behind the choice is what matters most.
Quantitative judgments don't apply.
Thanks, Father! I doubt, though, the truth that quantitative judgments don't apply, will be heeded in this day and age; maybe not even understood. Sad.
ReplyDeleteFather, I have had the same thoughts about the consequences of truth, in my own work place. I have a student teacher working with me from BJU (Bob Jones University, the jewel of the buckle of the bible belt!), and wondering when we will have the "church" conversation. I know I will be truthful, but the consequences are huge. Will she continue with me as a student or ask to be moved, or will she just stop listening to my advice in our field of speech pathology? Maybe I will be surprised and she will ask me questions! I almost hope she waits a few more weeks to ask the church question, and my credibility will be higher.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a thoughtful insight into our daily struggles!
Jude 3 Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
ReplyDelete171 The Church, "the pillar and bulwark of the truth", faithfully guards "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints". She guards the memory of Christ's words; it is she who from generation to generation hands on the apostles' confession of faith
As a mother who teaches her children to speak and so to understand and communicate, the Church our Mother teaches us the language of faith in order to introduce us to the understanding and the life of faith.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
is all i can say..
I read in a couple of sources that an alternative for some Christians was to go to the pagan temple, not offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, but to obtain a certificate of sorts saying that they had done so. I believe that at least some of them had to pay a fee for the false certificate. As I understand it was treated similarly to the "one small grain of incense" option. A betrayal is a betrayal.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Padre. Voting has begun.
ReplyDeletehttp://thecrescat.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-voting-time.html
I've just finished Sword of Honour myself, Father. Great trilogy. You absolutely must blog about it.
ReplyDeletehttp://thecrescat.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-voting-time.html
ReplyDeletei copied this link and votes for standing on my head .. looks like your winning Father !