sponsa, I trust in the Holy Spirit to grant me the fortitude to die for Jesus if that time comes. I'm in His hands. Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
I would hope to have the courage to do so. I believe I would, given the grace of courage that I pray to have if the time comes...
If presented with a life or death moment I think I would, momentary pain for eternal reward. BUT what is more likely to happen is......persecution. Family, friends, co-workers, the liberal mob, the government....Being labelled a hater, homophobic, against equal rights, old fashioned and as laws are put in place not unlikely finding oneself behind bars or even worse. The hard part is/would be to convince yourself and others you are standing up for Christ and defending the faith not just your own ideology. The anti-god crowd mostly can't/won't be convinced by any arguments you have. The hardest part would be expecting to live the rest of your life labelled as such. This is coming for those who stand up against the mob. I pray and trust that Jesus, Mary and God's angels would assist in the trial in order to stay strong till the end.
The persecution is here, it seems that everyday there is a new story. http://www.newsday.com/sports/tenni...nt-her-name-removed-from-australia-1.13722599
Am I remembering correctly that Billy Jean King was one of the athletes who had a sex change persona back in the 60's or 70's. The gay malarkey is confusing if she is in that category, because why say she is gay if she is a man turned into a woman. Surely just living as a woman would make her normal. I don't know what to think of these weirdoes. Would I die for Jesus, I hope to be able to stay faithful even if threatened with death. The alternative is hell for all eternity, so we don't really have a choice. We just need to remember to ask Jesus to take away any fear on the day if it ever arrives. And all will go well. Jesus, I trust in Thee.
As some of you know, I am a teacher, and sometimes, after having taught a group about Jesus for a few lessons, I ask them - what is it about this man, Jesus, that might make you want to give up your life and follow him ... And you know, they just look shocked that I even asked the question. I was recently in Medjugorje and a priest (from Wisconsin, I think, Fr Andy McAlpin, a Dominican) stood up at the English Sunday Mass homily and actually asked this very question. He spoke about his work as chaplain at Catholic Secondary schools and noted that no-one had ever asked troubled young teenagers this question. This really touched my heart and convicted me: we do not give our young people a Mission. We "sacramentalise" them but we do not engage them in ministry (at least we don't, in our diocese) . I will never probably see this priest from Wisconsin ever again but he disturbed a truth in my heart: what am I doing to fan into a flame the Mission in the hearts of baptised believers, that they would be so in love with Christ that they would hope to die for Him ? Dominicans. They can still Preach It.
Because look at how much saints suffered. For Example Saint Jacinta Marto. Riduculed See's a vision of hell. Threatened with boiling oil, Arrested for God name sake, Flu struck 1918 Lucia dad dies, Francico dies, Spends almost whole summer in hospital in 1919. Is let go she has a patch that has to be removed daily and replaced. Around January 1920 she sees Lucia for the last time, February 10, 1920 has two ribs removed. February 20, 1920 dies alone.
.. well, dying for Jesus doesn't necessarily mean physical torture, does it ? I would say that most of us in the UK today who "die" today for Jesus have sacrificed careers, finances, status, respect, love, relationships, a common sense of humanity, a chance to use our gifts...
I say yes, I would die for Jesus. But I know the real test would be if there is slow, extreme torture for refusing to denounce my faith. But I pray that Jesus would give me the strength to persevere and not deny Him. St Lawrence comes to mind. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little. But he could still joke and said "Turn me over. I'm done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It's cooked enough now."
For most of the past week I have only slept a very few hours each night. I have usually woken up around two in the morning and taken it from there. Just praying in Gethsemane I did not choose this, but It happened. a time of huge grace on Calvary. Maybe next week will be the same. The needs of the times. Join me there.
Yes. I think our angels are gathering us in the still of the night to pray. I awoke at midnight after a few hours sleep. I will ask to unite my prayers to yours although I think you are 6 hours ahead of me.
I'd like to think so, but so did St. Peter before denying Christ three times. Thanks to God's grace, St. Peter went on to suffer a hard, martyr's death. All I can do is pray for God's grace to sustain me whatever the future holds for me. One of my favourite prayers is an old one: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. Amen. So long as I continue to say that prayer from my heart, I trust that God's grace will see me through to the end.
Thankyou for reminding me of this prayer from my childhood, Dolours.. beautiful. My goodness, we said it every night, with my dad. Now reinstated in my own family. This forum is wonderful. Thankyou Jesus.
