The Church in North America was built, in part, by the pouring of the blood of Jesuits and laymen in the 17th century. Men who followed Christ to a perfect end. That is, not for their glory but for the greater glory of God. Saint Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians captures this foundation well: “For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
Most of us will not be called to lay down our lives for Christ by giving our blood, but we are called to manifest in our body the love of Christ crucified and risen for our own salvation and the salvation of the entire world. How is this possible today: by not growing weary of the Gospel and the truth proclaimed by the Church, constantly keeping the name and face of Jesus in front of us, by caring for others, even those who are colossal pains, etc. In short, by living the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Do we act so as to give the Lord greater glory?
Last year’s post on the Blackrobe martyrs is here.
Saint John de Brebeuf and companions, pray for us.