Scripture: Acts 22:20
And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.
Thought for the Day: In the NRSV, we read the word witness. In other translations of scripture, the word is rendered martyr. That’s a transliteration of the Greek word (martus) that means witness, though in the case of Stephen (and others), his witness was the cause of his death. Whether you want to call such people a great witness or a martyr, I was overjoyed to learn that one of my heroes, Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, was officially recognized by Pope Francis as a martyr/witness for the faith. In 1980, Romero was shot and killed while serving communion in a hospital chapel. The assassin is thought to have been a member of an El Salvadorian death squad, an instrument of the El Salvadorian government. In 1977, Romero was appointed Archbishop, and from that point on, he became a passionate voice for the poor and weak who were being systematically arrested, tortured and murdered by the government. He was equally passionate about the way of nonviolence, always pointing to the way of Jesus. What fascinated me was the delay in recognizing him as a martyr (one of the steps necessary for sainthood within the Catholic Church). The Catholic hierarchy claimed uncertainty in regard to the real cause of his death. Was it his Christian beliefs or was it his stance against the death squads? They felt the latter was too political. I don’t know about you, but if my congregants were being murdered by masked gangs paid and controlled by the government for the purpose of intimidation, I think speaking boldly would be the only appropriate response of a Christian…whether you see it as political or not. Romero spoke prophetically because of his relationship with Jesus, and I am happy that Pope Francis has officially recognized his great witness. Just one more reason I like Pope Francis.
Prayer: God of the martyrs, I am so thankful for all the great witnesses throughout history who were willing to remain faithful to your calling amidst suffering. Their life-witness continues to inspire me today. May I draw upon their stories and your spirit so that I too can speak and act boldly. Amen.
SUNDAY’S WORSHIP
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00
And don’t forget that it is
Scout Sunday.
