4th Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 2-6-25, Year C
Readings: 1st Reading: Heb 12:18-19,21-24; Psalm 48:2-4,9-11; Gospel Mk 6:7-13
Memorial: St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Theme: Where Two or More Are Gathered
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:20)
The Book of Hebrews tells us that the testimony of Jesus Christ and the sprinkled blood of His passion is more glorious and merciful than when God spoke to Moses and the Hebrew people, who feared the Lord and were frightened by the signs worked in their midst.
Mark’s Gospel tells us that Jesus sent His disciples out in twos to spread His gospel, and work signs and wonders among the people. Those disciples, working in pairs, supported each other, but most of all allowed Jesus to work through them, because, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
So, the awesome power of Jesus Himself is manifested in His apostles as they work to sew the seeds of faith among the people, just as our bishops and priests do today.
St. Paul Miki, a priest, was one of 26 Christians martyred at Nagasaki, Japan in 1597. He was, in a way, their spiritual leader, the only native-born Japanese person in the group. It was the emperor’s orders that they be put to death for their Christian faith. Here is a contemporary writer’s account of the martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and his companions.
You shall be my witnesses
“The crosses were set in place. Father Pasio and Father Rodriguez took turns encouraging the victims. Their steadfast behavior was wonderful to see. Father Bursar stood motionless; his eyes turned heavenward. Brother Martin gave thanks to God’s goodness by singing psalms. Again and again, he repeated: “Into your hands, Lord, I entrust my life.” Brother Francis Branco also thanked God in a loud voice. Brother Gonsalvo, in a very loud voice, kept praying the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Our Brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation,” he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing, and he ended his “sermon” with these words:
“As I come into this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.”
Then he looked at his comrades and began to encourage them in their final struggle. Joy glowed in all their faces and in Louis’ most of all. When a Christian in the crowd cried out to him that he would soon be in heaven, his hands, and his whole body strained upward with such joy that every eye was fixed on him.
Anthony, hanging at Louis’ side, looked toward heaven and called upon the holy names – “Jesus, Mary!” He began to sing a psalm: “Praise the Lord, you children!” (He learned this in catechism class in Nagasaki. They took care there to teach the children some psalms to help them learn their catechism.)
Others kept repeating, “Jesus, Mary!” Their faces were serene. Some of them even took to urging the people standing by to live worthy Christian lives. In these and other ways, they showed their readiness to die.
Then, according to Japanese custom, the four executioners began to unsheathe their spears. At this dreadful sight, all the Christians cried out, “Jesus, Mary!” And the storm of anguished weeping then rose to batter the very skies. The executioners killed them one by one. One thrust of the spear, then a second blow. It was over in a very short time.” 1
Twenty-Six Christians from all walks of life were martyred that day in 1597. Most of all Saint Paul Miki, the only native son, who, forgiving his persecutors and praying for them, died outside the city on a hill upon a cross, at the age of 33, for his fellow Christians and persecutors. Where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, there is He in the midst of them.
Take a moment and think about that and let it sink in.
1 – From Volume III of the LOH, pg 1367, (Cap. 14, 109-110: Acta Sanctorum Febr. 1, 769)
Saint James Catholic Church 