Memorial of Saint
Justin, martyr
(Tobit 1:3.2:1a-8; Mark 12:1-12)
St. Justin was martyred not so much for what he believed
as for failing to pay homage to the Roman gods.
The Romans of the second century were not fanatical. They did not insist that Christians not
worship their God only that they bow to the national deities as well. It is roughly similar to the situation that
many experience today in the United States.
If one wants to go to church, fine.
But the reigning culture insists that the person acknowledges the
cultural idol of sexual libertarianism.
Justin believed that there is but one God and even lip-service to others
was a lie which he would not stomach. Today’s
first reading begins the story of Tobit, another man whose religious principles
put him at odds with the authorities.
Tobit takes to heart the biblical injunction to bury the
dead. Evidently it is a crime to be so
diligent in ancient Nineveh as Tobit’s neighbors say that he was hunted down
before for doing. But Tobit, a righteous
man, follows his conscience.
Intelligent people have prophesized that the Church will
be persecuted for its opposition to gay marriage. We should prepare ourselves for this
eventuality first by understanding the issue, especially the Catholic moral
perspective. Then we should pray that sexual
licentiousness does not undermine the moral fiber of Western civilization and
that we remain faithful to the truth and forgiving of our persecutors.
