Memorial of Saints John de Brébuef and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
(Romans 3:21-30; Luke 17:47-54)
Organizations sometimes have elite groups which require the
passing of a quality test for membership.
Boy Scouts have the Order of the Arrow.
Professional sports have their Halls of Fame. The Army has its Rangers. In the Letter to the Romans St. Paul rejects
the idea of passing a quality test to join the ranks of the justified. He recognizes that the test – observance of
the Mosaic law -- was not producing holy people despite its rigor. He finds justification in a simpler condition
– faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus was the only one who has ever lived the law completely
and become perfectly righteous. Being
the son of God, he was able to do so. All
others – both jews and gentiles -- can come to righteousness by Joining
themselves to him in faith. He provides
the Holy Spirit so that they may live saintly lives.
It is not that living righteously doesn’t require effort. It is that the Spirit of love is with us to work
for the good of others. We have the
saints as models. Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac
Joques, and companion martyrs gave their lives to bring salvation to native Americans
by the grace of the Spirit.
