Thursday – 4th Week in Ordinary Time C – Saints Peter Baptist, Paul Miki, and martyr companions

Published on 5 February 2025 at 13:04

In today’s sacred celebration of the Eucharist, we honor Saints Peter Baptist, Paul Miki, and their martyr companions – a group of Franciscans and a few Jesuits who faced persecution and death in 1597 for their unflinching  courage to the spread of the Gospel in Japan. As we remember their sacrifice, we ought to reflect not only on their noble deeds but also on the current political climate in our world, and how their lives inspire us to respond to the struggles we face today.

Saint Peter Baptist was born in Spain and traveled far and wide—first to Mexico, then to the Philippines, and finally to Japan—where he and his companions dedicated themselves to building not only churches but also hospitals, serving the marginalized and the lost. In an era marked by political turmoil, they stood firm in their faith, risking everything to proclaim our Lord’s Gospel of love, peace, reconciliation and redemption.

In today's world, we, too, find ourselves in a climate of unrest. Across nations, political divisions create animosity, fear, and uncertainty. Many today, just as in the time of Peter Baptist, experience their own forms of suffering—whether it be from oppressive regimes as what we are currently witnessing in Nicaragua where even our Poor Clare sisters are being persecuted and evicted from their monasteries, societal injustice, or personal persecution for their beliefs. The suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world calls us to remember that we are all part of one holy family, bound by our shared humanity, uncompromisingly adorers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The letters of Saint Peter Baptist echo through time as he writes, "We lose our life for the sake of preaching the Gospel." His words urge us to reflect on what it means to follow Christ in our present circumstances. Locally, we might not be in a dire situation like many others around the world, but are we prepared to lose our comfort, to step out of our safe spaces, to advocate for those who suffer? Saints Peter Baptist, Paul Miki, and their companions, did not allow fear of the oppressor to diminish their courage.

Rather, like I stated at the beginning, they built churches and hospitals for a peoples so lacking the care and attention their human dignity demanded. These friars were careful to address both the spiritual and the human needs of the people. We too must always look at the person in their entirety—fully human, yet containing a soul within. Jesus too, was fully human, and had a human soul, with the difference that the fullness of divinity dwelt in him. Just as we’re called to be correct in our Christology, we must also be correct when it comes to what makes us truly human and unique, in that we bear the image of God within us.

The Gospel reading today reminds us of the authority given to the disciples to drive out unclean spirits and to heal the sick. Jesus sends them out with minimal provisions, teaching them reliance on God and urging them to bring peace and healing wherever they go. In our current climate, we too are sent forth as ambassadors of peace and the Lord asks us as well, to trust in him so as to protect us and provide for our every need. Ask yourself if you truly ever lacked the basic necessities to get you through the day.

As Franciscans, we have a particular call to serve those in need, to stand beside the oppressed and to advocate for justice, all while being instruments of peace. Let us all strive to live our lives in the spirit of the martyrs, proclaiming the Gospel and committing ourselves to serve those who struggle. With great courage they suffered momentarily, but now they shine resplendent for all eternity with Christ where it will be known henceforth and forevermore, that these are the beloved martyrs of Jesus Christ who shunned even death out of love for him. May our love be of the same caliber, we pray, and may his peace shine on you always. Amen.


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