Today, as we celebrate the memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and his twenty-one companions in martyrdom, the Holy Martyrs of Uganda. Some of the members of the Anglican Church also died in the name of Christ. We are reminded how ungodliness, hardness of heart, evil desires can lead to the death of innocent people.
We know the good will always triumph over evil. The persecution and the massacre of Christian missionaries and Christians in Uganda during this period became a catalyst for the growth of faith in Uganda.
In the midst of sufferings and persecution St. Charles Lwanga and these brothers and sisters in Christ stood by their faith and refused to renounce their faith. These faithful servants of God chose to side with the Lord, His truth and love.
These martyrs are means of encouragement for us today. It is one thing to profess to be a Christian, and it is another thing to live one’s life as a Christian. There should not be a dichotomy between what we profess and how we live our lives. There should not be a contradiction between what we say and what we do. It is crucial that we be Christians that are truly committed to God and truly genuine in our Christian living, otherwise, we will end up being hypocrites and no better than unbelievers and pagans.
Saint Peter in the first reading (2 Peter 1: 2-7) addressed this issue with his community. He encouraged his faithful to follow the Lord and commit themselves to the path of Christian living, in doing what God has called them to do.
Saint Peter reminded us that we all share in God’s divine nature, and we are all indeed created in His image and likeness. May we not allow ourselves to be deluded and swayed by the evils of this world, by the corruptions of worldly pleasures and desires, all of which could lead us to actions that are contrary to God’s path and teachings.
In the Gospel passed we are called to follow in the footsteps of the Lord. (Mark 12: 1-12), and not be like the evil, stubborn tenants who refused to listen to God. They refused to give account of their stewardship. What awaits them are destruction and death.
May the Lord continue to bless us in all of our every good works, efforts, and endeavors, Amen.
Have a wonderful week!
