Thought for the Day – 1 June
In about 165, Justin was arrested for being a Christian but refused to give up his faith. The judge asked him, “Do you have an idea that you will go to heaven and receive some suitable rewards?” Justin answered, “It is not an idea that I have; it is something that I know well and hold to be most certain.” The judge ordered him killed. He was beheaded along with his companions for refusing to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. St. Justin gave his life for Christ and died for the Saviour whom he loved above all else. St Justin reminds us never to sacrifice to the false gods of our age. That includes the materialism, hedonism and nihilism that are ever present. We have received the gift of faith with little labour of our own. Let us learn how to value it from those who reached it after long search and lived in the misery of a world which did not know God, not much different to our times. Let us fear, as St. Justin did, the account we shall have to render for the gift of God. We have been chosen as St Justin was, to do the work of Christ – to make Him known regardless of the consequences! I am drawn to the thought “would I be open to changing my surname to ‘Martyr’ do I have the courage, the love for God to accept such a change?”
St Justin Martyr, pray for us!
AnaStpaul 