29th August, 2018: The beheading of John
Jer 1: 17-19; Mk 6: 17-29
Recently discussing about martyrdom with a group of youngsters, one asked me, 'why should they go up to martyrdom?' In the same tone I replied, 'they don't go up to it, it comes after them!'
Martyrdom is not a given-up mode of life. It is a fruit of living one's life to the full till the end, never losing the core purpose of that life for even a moment.
Martyrdom is not an option to choose. It is a consequence of the choices made, absolute choices for truth and righteousness. It is not a choice to die, but a choice to live - live for God, for truth and for righteousness, where eventually death unsuccessfully vies to have its last word.
Martyrdom is not an unprecedented event. One sees it coming all the time. It is always there in front of the person threatening him or her. But for the person who is concerned with things that truly matter, martyrdom remains just a matter of fact!