EARTHEN VESSELS

Memorial of Sts. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and Companions, martyrs

2 Cor 4:7-15

Between the years 1642 and 1649 eight Jesuit missionaries were martyred in North America. They were subjected to horrifying tortures before put to death by members of the Huron and Iroquois tribes. Led by the priests, John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, among those martyred were Jean Lalande, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, Noel Chabanel, Rene Goupil and Anthony Daniel. They worked tirelessly to bring the true faith in North America which eventually gave them the crown of martyrdom.

Martyrdom is a crown, not a cross. Consider it a prize won, not a price to pay, when on account of the Gospel, we are persecuted and even killed. It is the highest honor to carry in our bodies both the death and life of Jesus. By our patient endurance and, if needed, by the shedding of our blood for the Gospel we preach, our preaching takes upon itself an eloquence that words cannot achieve. Martyrdom is the most convincing sign of our message. It is when we are ready to suffer and die for what we preach that our missionary commitment becomes life-giving.

Like earthen vessels, indeed, we carry the treasure of the Gospel. Like earthen jars, we are fragile. But our fragility is never a liability because it is in our weakness that the surpassing power in us is clearly manifested to be God’s not ours.

Martyrs are not made of steel. Their faith is unbreakable, unshakeable, and unfathomable. But like the rest of humanity, they ache, they bleed, they shudder too. It is the power of God that makes martyrs out of frail humanity. It is not human will power. After all, the Gospel is not about the power of man but about the power of God.

Each day, let us allow the surpassing power of God to shine forth from us, men and women made of dust and clay. Let God evangelize His people. Through our faithful witnessing to Him despite persecution and even death, God delivers a moving homily to the world, entitled “Treasure in Earthen Vessels”.