+ Today we celebrate the feast of Charles Lwanga who was servant of King Mwanga of Uganda in Africa. He became a convert in June 1885. He and his companions are considered as the protomartyrs (first martyrs) of black Africa. He was one of twenty-two African Catholics who were executed for their faith under a persecution by King Mwanga. Twenty-four Protestants were also martyred. In 1920 Pope Benedict XV declared Charles Lwanga patron saint of youth and Catholic Action for most of tropical Africa.
Our readings today are suited to the feast. The first reading is about – once having set course in a definite and true direction, refusing to look back – once converting to the Christian faith – never to look back, renege, or take back old practices. Keeping the dietary code was essential to faith before Jesus came and declared all food clean – and so even death by martyrdom regarding keeping the rules was hailed by men and women of the Old Testament.
But when Jesus comes, everything is different, not only dietary rules: the entire standard of life is changed: worldly values were turned asunder and a true vision of a Kingdom of God that is available to all was unveiled. In this Kingdom the poor are rich, those who mourn are comforted (even in the darkest places of Africa), those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are satisfied and those who are persecuted for their faith are rewarded with a crown of glory!
May we choose today to be poor and meek; clean of heart and persecuted: and our reward – as with Charles Lwanga and companions and the twenty-four Protestants – will be great in heaven!
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