Thought for the Day – 20 July – Memorial of St Apollinaris
Following Jesus involves risks—sometimes the supreme risk of life itself. Martyrs, like St Apollinaris, are people who would rather accept the risk of death than deny the cornerstone of their whole life: faith in Jesus Christ.
Everyone will die eventually—the persecutors and those persecuted.
The question is what kind of a conscience people will bring before the Lord for judgment. Remembering the witness of past and present martyrs can help us make the often small sacrifices that following Jesus today may require.
There are no patterns and the saints break all molds.
God is interested in us right where we are and our own particular circumstances are as good a place as any to be a saint. Holiness is within our reach!
St Apollinaris and all you saints in heaven, pray for us!
AnaStpaul 