Feb 06 2019 - St. Paul Miki and Companions - Martyrs willingly face rejection

In the first five chapters of St. Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ ministry has gained incredible momentum: he’s preaching in synogogues all over galilee. He has manifested his divine power by casting out demons both in jewish and gentile territory, he’s calmed a stormy sea, he’s healed countless sick, he’s even raised the dead. We hear today how Jesus then goes to his native place where he is rejected. The Greek word translated "offense" is skandalizomai, meaning "to stumble over an obstacle"; it is the word from which we get our English word "scandal." Why were they scandalized? Jesus lived such an ordinary life among the people of His community that they found it incredible that He should be anything special. They rejected him because they were not willing to get beyond their preconceptions about Jesus. So the Lord proclaims: “"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place”

In a sense, it was good for his disciples to witness the Lord’s rejection by his townsfolk. Because, they, like him, would have to face the same fate. They would have to be willing to preach his Gospel, even when it meant being rejected by one’s own family.

The martyrs throughout the centuries, like Paul Miki and his 25 companions, suffered that ultimate rejection for the sake of the kingdom. Paul Miki and his companions were martyred on February 5, 1597 on a hill overlooking Nagasaki, Japan. The group was comprised of 6 Franciscans from Spain, Mexico, and India and 3 native Japanese Jesuits.  Among the 17 lay Japanese Catholics martyred there were native Japanese catechists, doctors, simple artisans and servants, old men and innocent children. After being forced to march 600 miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki, they were all hung on wooded crosses with ropes and chains and then put to death by the thrust of a lance by their own native countrymen.

For nearly two hundred years, priests, religious, and Christians missionaries, Catholic and Protestant, were banned from Japan.  And, when missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no trace of Christianity. Yet, soon they discovered thousands of Christians living around Nagasaki. They had secretly preserved the faith that Paul Miki and his companions died for two hundred years.

Because of the martyrs willingness to suffer rejection, Christianity was preserved. When John Paul II visited Nagasaki in 1981, he said, “In this holy place, people of all walks of life gave proof that love is stronger than death. They embodied the essence of the Christian message, the spirit of the Beatitudes, so that all who look up to them may be inspired to let their lives be shaped by unselfish love of God and love of neighbor.”

May we allow that unselfish love of God and love of neighbor lead us to that willingness to strive and suffer for the spread of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure.

The martyrs followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

That all missionaries may have courage and strength in their witness to the Gospel, for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, and for increased willingness among Christians to answer the missionary call.

For the sick and all who suffer, may their suffering be united to those of Our Savior and know his consolation and peace.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord