Memorial of Saint
Paul Mike and Companions, martyrs
(Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56)
The recent motion picture Silence infuses some drama into today’s commemoration of
saints. The movie shows lay Japanese Christians
giving their lives as martyrs of Christ.
Meanwhile European missionaries agonize over whether they should collude
with the executioners to stop the torture.
Those who died for Christ are the real heroes of the story. They are virtually the same as Paul Miki and
Companions.
Today’s gospel indicates why people sacrifice their very
lives for Christ. It shows him
tirelessly blessing and healing the sick who come to him. Especially Mark’s gospel relates Jesus as God’s
emissary capable of curing the most traumatic of diseases.
We are all sick in one way or another. Some of us deal with serious ailments. They turn to Jesus for spiritual support as
well as physical healing. They need him to
trust in God’s Providence, to follow their doctors’ prescriptions, and to mend
broken relations. Others among us are in
more dire need although they do not suffer acute physical distress. They are sick with self-absorption. They and the rest of us should look to Jesus
as a model of living – humble, helpful, and thankful.
