Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-3,6-12, Ps. 123:1-2, Mark 12:18-27
“God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8)
As Christians, it’s crucial to understand the difference between meekness and timidity. In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). It’s important to note that He did not say, “Blessed are the timid.” There is a clear distinction between meekness (a quality of humility) and timidity (a state of fear). It’s one thing to embody humility, but it’s an entirely different matter to cower in fear of the devil or feel ashamed of God.
In the First Reading, St. Paul’s words to Timothy echo through the ages: “God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord, … but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8). Jesus Himself declared: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). Remember, we are not weak but strong in the power and love of God.
*The fact that God is yet to answer your prayers or that things are not working well for you does not mean God is weak.* Whenever we experience tough times, the devil tries to convince us to deny God. Despite all that Job suffered, he never lost confidence in God. He said: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” (Job 19:25-27). In the same vein, St. Paul (who was in prison then) said: “For this gospel, I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he can guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:11-12)
As St. Paul says, *the Holy Spirit is the spirit of power, love, and self-control.* To be powerful is to be confident, knowing God is on your side. As the Psalmist says: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). *Power without love is dangerous.* St. Paul says: “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2).
Again, power and love must go hand in hand with self-control. *Without self-control, you cannot claim to have the Holy Spirit in you.* As Paul writes: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25)
Jesus displayed power, love, and self-control in His public ministry. After he had brilliantly silenced the Herodians and Pharisees, the Sadducees came to try their luck. In a bid to prove that heaven does not exist, they presented the scenario of a woman married to seven brothers, all of whom died in succession without any of them leaving a child behind. The Sadducees asked: “In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?”
Jesus responded that this question revealed their lack of understanding of the scriptures and their limited mindset concerning God. *No marriage exists in heaven because we shall be like the Angels there.* When we die, we leave behind our flesh (which will be buried), but our souls, being immortal, continue to live. He is not a God of the dead but of the living. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26). This is our confidence in God; that *even if we die proclaiming our faith, we are assured of eternal life.*
The Ugandan martyrs, including St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, remind us that Christians still face persecution today. In 1879, the White Fathers arrived in Uganda and quickly gained many devoted converts. These new Christians, including young men and boys, served in King Mwanga’s court, a place known for violence and moral corruption.
Joseph Mkasa, a Catholic and the chief steward of the court, led a small Christian community. When Mwanga killed a Protestant missionary, Joseph confronted the king, urging him to change his ways. For this, Joseph was martyred on 15 November 1885. Before his execution, he forgave Mwanga and sought the king’s repentance.
After Joseph’s death, Charles Lwanga took over leadership, continuing to protect the young Christians from Mwanga’s anger. In May 1886, Mwanga discovered that one of his pages, Mwafu, was receiving religious instruction. Enraged, he killed Denis Sebuggwawo, the teacher, and ordered the execution of all Christians in his court. That night, Charles baptised four new members, including a 13-year-old named Kizito. The next morning, Mwanga separated the Christians and condemned them to death. The group, consisting of boys and young men under 25, marched 37 miles to Namugongo, displaying remarkable courage and faith along the way.
On 3 June 1886, after a week of imprisonment, the martyrs were burned alive. Thirteen Catholics and eleven Protestants were among those who died, all calling out to Jesus as they were martyred. Their sacrifice inspired the hidden Christian community, which continued to grow despite the lack of priests and sacraments. These 22 Catholic martyrs of Uganda were later canonised. May the Ugandan martyrs pray for those suffering for their faith and inspire us to support persecuted Christians everywhere. Amen.
Let us pray: O God, who has made the blood of Martyrs the seed of Christians, mercifully grant that the field which is your Church, watered by the blood shed by Saints Charles Lwanga and his companions, may be fertile and always yield you an abundant harvest. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saints Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs Liturgical Colour: Red. Bible Study: 2 Timothy 1:1-3,6-12, Ps. 123:1-2, Mark 12:18-27)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu