June 5, 2017 - St. Boniface - Martyr's Blood and Holy Spirit's Fire

Today is the fifth day in a row wearing red. We had three feasts of martyrs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: the memorials of St. Justin Martyr, Saints Marcellinus and Peter, St. Charles Lwanga and the his Companion Martyrs. On Sunday, we wore red for the great feast of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost. And today, Ordinary Time begins with another martyr’s memorial, the bishop St. Boniface, who, at the age of 80 was preparing candidates for confirmation when they were attacked by barbarians and massacred, martyred for the faith.

The Red of the martyrs’ blood and the red of the Holy Spirit’s fire are certainly linked. The courage to lay down one’s life for Christ comes from the Holy Spirit. This is why Cardinals of the Church also wear red as part of their daily garb: from their desire to associate themselves with the Passion of Christ and a willingness to be martyred.

Red is the color of witness. The word ‘martyr’ doesn’t just mean someone who died for the faith. Martyr means witness. The martyrs witness to the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins that we may be reconciled to God, and that mankind is meant to profess their faith in Him. For it’s not through political activism that we receive eternal life, nor even charitable works, but through His blood; as St. Paul says “through his blood we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

St. Boniface labored to spread this saving faith through northern Europe, to the Germanic parts of the Frankish Empire. He spread the true faith among Pagans, Barbarians, Germanic Tribes who worshiped the gods of Norse Mythology.

In a letter written to a Benedictine abbess, Saint Boniface wrote: “Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial…let us be neither dogs that do not bark, nor silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf.”

He was a bishop filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the zeal of the Apostles, and the truth of Christ.

Though we exchange easter white for ordinary time green, we recall that martyrdom red runs through the whole Church year. Fire, zeal, courage, and witness are needed now: in our bishops and priests and religious and in the lives of ordinary Christians.

As we prayed in the opening prayer: “may the Martyr Saint Boniface, be our advocate that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our bishops and clergy may be zealous in preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel, and that our future bishop of the diocese of Cleveland may be a man of true faith and the Holy Spirit.
That St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, may enliven the faith of the German people and those of Germanic descent who have made their home in this land.

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus.

In thanksgiving for good weather, for our parish festival, and the hard labor of so many good parishioners and volunteers.

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.