+ Today we celebrate the feast of the first North American Martyrs: Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, both Jesuits from France; and Rene Goupil, who was an associate to the Jesuits and a skilled physician. They found themselves in the middle of warring Indian tribes in Canada and upstate New York. In their efforts to help the Huron Indians they were attacked by the Mohawks and brutally tortured. They did not give up, however, and continued to both bring the gospel message and physical as well as spiritual aid to as many as possible. Finally in 1646 Isaac Jogues and companions were martyred at Auriesville, New York – where there stands today a worthy shrine to their memory!
The first reading today speaks of the evangelical spirit of these men: afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in their bodies. Being instruments of the grace of God was foremost in their minds and hearts, and this is what saw them through any and every difficulty that they encountered.
The gospel passage was their driving force, as well: go, teach, baptize – knowing that I am with you always until the end of the age! With this assurance from Jesus himself, Isaac Jogues and companions did what they were invited by God to do; and with his help saw it through to a happy conclusion: their crowing with the glory of martyrdom.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing; may all of our tears be turned into dancing!
No comments:
Post a Comment