Homily – June 1, 2010 – St. Justin

+ Today we celebrate the feast of a noted saint in the early second century: Justin, who was actually born in Palestine, moving later to Rome. He was a pagan philosopher who converted to Christianity at the age of 30 by reading the Scriptures (thus really coming into contact with the living person of Jesus in his word) and witnessing the heroism and faith of the martyrs of the church – and during this time of heavy persecution, there were many martyrs. Justin used his philosophical and oratorical skills to dispute with pagans and explain the faith, becoming one of the first great Christian apologists. His writings on Baptism and Eucharist are noteworthy. He opened a school of public debate in Rome. Of course, all this naturally brought him to the attention of the authorities and under the persecution of Marcus Aurelius he died a martyr's death, himself, in 165.

Our readings today are especially chosen for the feast: it is as though Justin and St. Paul were talking to the same people – and in fact they were only about a generation or two apart: Paul talks about the really wise one, the really smart intellectual, the really philosophically learned one: this would be the one who was not just a clever debater on the human level, but rather one who clearly understood the message of the cross of contradiction – that power comes from weakness, strength comes from foolishness. But, this understanding can only be gotten by faith. Both Paul and Justin knew that the philosopher can only go so far, and then the theologian in us must take over in order to thoroughly satisfy our ardently longing soul!

In the gospel passage Jesus insists that there is no compromise in the truth of his message and that persecution and even death may come to those who – being filled with the spirit – spend their lives being salt and light for the world. Christians, especially Catholic Christians are called to make a real difference in the world in which they live – here and now. If we do not, then we are not obeying Jesus and his commandment to take care of one another and love one another. We are truly brothers and sisters to each other and we owe it to each other to lay down our lives!

Let your light (the light of an exemplary life) shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.