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Saint of the Day for February 6: Saint Paul Miki and Companions (d. 1597)
Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and servants, old men and innocent childrenâall united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his Church. Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: âThe sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christâs example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.â When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally canonized in 1862. Reflection Today, a new era has come for the Church in Japan. Although the number of Catholics is not large, the Church is respected and has total religious freedom. The spread of Christianity in the Far East is slow and difficult. Faith such as that of the 26 martyrs is needed today as much as in 1597. |
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Embrace the Beatitudes At the heart of Francisâs and Clareâs biblical vision was the Sermon on the Mount, and most especially the Beatitudes. Just as Jesus turned the world upside down, ushering in Godâs new age of shalom, liberating captives, and proclaiming Godâs shalom (see Luke 4:18â19), Francisâs message of peace and simplicity turned upside down the divisiveness and violence of twelfth-century Italy and the opulence of the Roman Catholic Church. Francis lived out the prophetic spirit of the Beatitudes, presenting an alternative vision to both church and state, as he sought to be Godâs companion in healing the world, beginning with the transformation of church, and expanding his mission to include healing the whole earth, Christian and non-Christian, human and nonhuman. Francis invites us to embody the Beatitudes in our time.
âfrom the book Simplicity, Spirituality, Service: The Timeless Wisdom of Francis, Clare, and BonaventureRev. Dr. Bruce G. Epperly |
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For My Privilege(s) I Say, âThanksâ Reflect Because of my race, my innate gifts, my appearance, my security, I have experienced unearned happiness and lived to see this day.
Pray Creator of all that is, you knew me before I was even conceived.
I sometimes take credit and pride for any success I have known.
You have expected much of me, your servant.
I have often tried to be worthy of my many blessings.
I humbly stand before you, hoping to be enough.
Help me to use all that I have in your service,
sharing the gifts that are mine
to your honor and glory.
Act I will lift up a single talent and use it to assist someone whose gifts differ from my own. It may be the gift of physical strength, emotional endurance, or substantial wealth. I will give of what I have. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Carol Ann Morrow. Learn more here! |
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