Eph. 1: 11-14; Ps. 33: 1-2, 4-5, 12-13; Lk 12: 1-7

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saints John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests and Companions Martyrs of North America.  They were “chosen destined in accord with the purpose of the One.”  They were strengthened to accomplish the will of the Father “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”.  The “first installment” of their inheritance was to answer the call “chosen to be his own” ministering to the Iroquois Indians of the Huron tribe.  They learned to live Iroquois life, “smell like the natives” working alongside them, learning their language, practicing works of mercy bringing conversion to Christianity.  This love and sacrifice was met with death.  It was a death they did not fear, the death of the flesh only.  Europeans who also immigrated brought sickness, like small pox around 1640 and the priests in “black robes” were associated with messengers of death to be feared (M. Mattingly, Creighton University’ Campus Ministry; 2018).  In some ways that image remains today. 

We have the sacrament of the sick to assist us in sickness but at times is seen more as the sacrament of the dying.  Someone can be seriously sick, in the hospital, possibly about to undergo a major surgery and you ask “should I call a priest?”  The fear response is “no, I’m not dying yet”.  The gospel reminds us “do not be afraid of those who kill the body…Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast in Gehenna.”  We fear death more than the consequences of death.  Death is not the end but the beginning of the rest of our inheritance. 

This is the day the Lord has made to determine our inheritance, Gehenna or the glory of the kingdom.  We are reminded “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed.”  God know us, our thoughts, feelings, and intentions.  This day we can receive him in the sacrament of his body and blood, his forgiveness, his love and mercy.  We are given the “white robe” of baptism to be messengers of hope. 

We live in a time where “fear” is a weapon against the opposing ideology.  Statements like “They are going to throw grandma over the cliff” denying her healthcare or “They want open borders letting in killers and rapists” make fear a weapon of division.  The weapon turns to violence and attempted murder.  The hypocrisy of the Pharisees in the gospel remains today as in those days, it is the fear of loss of power and control of the natives.  The leaven of fear turns the natives to destroy each other so each side can claim victory and power.  They plot in secret, behind closed doors and in darkness, and who will be sacrificed.  The people have a voice, it is the witness and testimony of our faith in action, to proclaim it, and live it.  Our redemption and our inheritance are at hand.