Search

Results

The inner word

12 May 2013 - Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Saint Stephen was the church’s first martyr—“witness”—the first of those to “wash their robes,” in the words of the Book of Revelation, to die because they held to their faith in the face of hostility. Though it’s very unlikely you would ever have to face martyrdom, how can you still “give your life” for God? What do witnesses do? They give “testimony,” just as Jesus did to his own return in the reading from Revelation. How do you “testify” and “witness” to faith in your life?

sacrifice martyrs

Restricted
Christians, take cover

19 Jan 2014 - Preaching the News for Sunday

This Sunday’s gospel tells of John the Baptist announcing the arrival on the scene of Jesus, “the Lamb of God.” Both John and Jesus would be executed for their faith—as were an alarming 2,123 Christians worldwide last year, nearly double the 1,201 martyred in 2012. More than half of those reported killings occurred in Syria, followed by Nigeria and Pakistan.North Korea, a nation of more than 24 million with an estimated 300,000 Christians, remains the most dangerous, where life-long imprisonment or execution is the sentence if caught in possession of a Bible. Somalia, Syria, and Iraq are also listed among the most dangerous nations by Open Doors, a nondenominational group tracking persecuted Christians worldwide.In North Korea the group reports that “like others in that country, Christians have to survive under one of the most oppressive regimes in contemporary times. . . . An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians live in concentration camps, prisons, and prison-like circumstances under the regime of leader Kim Jong-Un.”Syria, which had not previously cracked the group’s list of top ten most oppressive places for Christians, ranked third last year. As in Somalia, Islamic extremism powers the persecution in Syria, according to Open Door officials, and many municipalities that previously had large populations of Christians have become ghost towns.When it comes to Catholic pastoral workers, Latin America is the most dangerous region of the world. In 2013, according to Vatican sources, 22 pastoral care workers were killed worldwide, mostly priests, almost double the 13 slain in 2012. Colombia was the most dangerous country, with 7 priests killed there in 2013.Homily hint: While some U.S. Christians worry about threats to their religious freedom, Christians in many other nations around the world have tasted the hard-line violent type of persecution. What can you and your community do to raise awareness and work for religious freedom around the world? Sources: Articles by Joshua Rhett Miller for Fox News and by Agenzia Fides

martyrs north korea persecution syria open doors

Restricted
Archbishop Romero remembered and revered

31 May 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador last Saturday to celebrate the beatification of Oscar Romero, an archbishop who walked with his people in poverty and spoke out against military violence. He was assassinated while he celebrated Mass on March 24, 1980. Romero exemplified what the psalmist this Sunday calls God's love for “justice and right.” “Romero was a good priest, a wise bishop, but above all he was a virtuous man,” said Cardinal Angelo Amato, an emissary from Pope Francis who presided over the ceremony. “He saw his tormented homeland with hope in his heart. His words were not a provocation to hatred and revenge, but the brave exhortation of a father to his divided children.” Like Saint Paul this Sunday, Romero understood “that we are children of God.” Homily hint: Anyone who has read about the life, witness, and martyrdom of Oscar Romero or seen the excellent movie Romero will find cause for rejoicing in his beatification. We stand in good company when we stand with those who have stood for justice and peace, even at great personal sacrifice. Be thankful for the witness of the church’s martyrs and saints. For more on Romero's beatification, see: Salvadorans flock to honor beloved archbishop on path to sainthood

Saints martyrs beatification justice and peace romero

Restricted
The inner word

08 May 2016 - Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

Saint Stephen was the church’s first martyr—“witness”—the first of those to “wash their robes,” in the words of the Book of Revelation, to die because they held to their faith in the face of hostility. Though it’s very unlikely you would ever have to face martyrdom, how can you still “give your life” for God? What do witnesses do? They give “testimony,” just as Jesus did to his own return in the reading from Revelation. How do you “testify” and “witness” to faith in your life?

martydom martyrs

Restricted