October 19 - Homily for Today

Sts. Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, Rene Goupil, Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier, Gabriel Lalemant, Jean de la Lande, Noel Chabanel, -  these men collectively known as the North American Martyrs – Patron Saints of North America - were canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI. Isaac Jogues, SJ, born in 1607 was the leader of this band of priests and laymen who came from France to proselytize the Native American Indians to the ways of Christ and the Catholic Faith. They worked successfully among the Huron Indians, but it was the Mohawk Indians of the Iroquois Nation of New York State who savagely and brutally treated these holy men, and put most of them to death near Auriesville, New York – where there stands a shrine to their memory today.

Our first reading today tells of “always carrying around the death of Christ in our bodies” so that we may live the life of his glory – this means both here in this life, but most especially in eternity. If we accept fully and wholeheartedly that sacrifice, and unpleasant encounters, and a certain amount of conflict – even of the more severe kind - are as much a part of our life as they were for Christ himself – then we can “get through” any kind of trial that comes our way – we can transform red crosses into gold ones with the help of Christ and his Spirit. This, the seven holy martyrs of North America did; this we can do.

Jesus commissions the Apostles in the gospel passage to go forth and proclaim “life through death” – the Gospel Message – “to the ends of the earth.” He promised to be with all those who do so, and he promises also to help those who hear the message to respond with faith and trust! May we be among such a group today!

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing!