St. Justin the martyr was born in the Holy Land around A.D. 100. He was the son of pagan Roman nobles who educated Justin well in poetry, history, science, especially ancient Greek philosophy.
While walking by the sea near the town of Ceasarea, he met an old man who spoke to him about the insufficiency of philosophy and urged him to study the Scriptures and the teachings of Christ. That conversation sparked the flame of faith within him, and so Justin converted around the year 130 and went to Rome where he opened a school.
Many of the early Christians were uneducated, but Justin believed that Christians should understand the faith as deeply as possible so that they could explain the faith when called upon.
Justin was also a great apologist: defending the faith and helping many pagans to see the errors of the false religions.
Only three of his written works have been preserved. He defends Christianity as the only rational creed, and includes accounts of the Christian ceremonies of Baptism and the Eucharist, counteracting the distorted accounts from detractors of the faith which circulated at the time and to, of course, instruct non-believers. Particularly important his his 2nd century explanation of the Holy Mass, showing the celebration of Eucharist to be an unbroken practice from the Last Supper to the present age.
At his Roman school he debated a philosopher named Crescens. When Crescens lost the debate, being no match for Justin’s grasp of the Truth, he denounced Justin to the authorities. Justin was arrested and when given the opportunity to renounce the faith to save his life, he refused. Justin was put to death as a martyr by beheading along with six of his students, five men and one woman, in 166.
In the Gospel today Jesus prays for those who will come to believe through the words of his disciples. This is the primary way unbelievers come to the faith, through our profession of the faith: through our patient, gentle, yet convicted explanation of doctrine, through our defense of the faith, through our ability to justify our faith, rationally and clearly.
With the advent of the internet, publication of books, cds, lecture series, we have all these tremendous opportunities to study the faith, to learn the faith, in order to pass on the faith in a culture where the truth of the Gospel continues to be marginalized.
Through the example and heavenly intercession of Justin Martyr may we be bearers and defenders of the Christian faith to all we meet, witnessing to the saving power of Christ in our words and deeds for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For openness to the Holy Spirits gifts, that the Christian Church may be always bold and clear in spreading and defending the Gospel.
That the faith of the martyrs may give us courage in times of persecution.
For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus.
That our parish festival may be preserved from inclement weather and may be an instrument for the strengthening of our parish and the spread of Christ’s saving truth.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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