Memorial of Saint
Justin, martyr
(I Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)
Justin, whose surname is apparently unknown, studied
philosophy as a young man. Then he read
the Scriptures which changed the course of his life. He came to Rome where he was brought before
the prefect for being a Christian. There
he began a discourse to convince the Roman of the validity of his faith but was
ignored. He and six others were
summarily beheaded for not offering sacrifices to idols. Justin certainly typifies the kind of spirit
that the first reading today exhorts.
The passage is taken from the First Letter to
Timothy. It sees the addressee, a young pastor,
as so burdened by responsibilities that he cannot offer clear testimony of
faith. It advises Timothy to be strong. “God
did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and
self-control,” it says. These are words
for all Christians.
We too should proclaim our faith openly. We can express our thanks to God for who we
are. We can offer to pray for those
whose needs are beyond our means. We can
say how we have been enriched by the gospel. No one, at least in our society, will
behead us for such statements. But some
may become interested in knowing the Lord Jesus as well.
