Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 3, 2019
The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Four years ago, my life looked very different from how it looks now. In May 2015, I had not yet graduated from college, I had not yet started a full-time job, I had not yet moved from Chicago to Minneapolis, I had not yet grieved the sudden death of my father, I had not yet been married, and I had not had my first child. Four years ago, I lived in the protective bliss of Notre Dame’s scenic campus, and I thought I knew everything I needed to know before venturing into the adult world.
Today, I realize I know even less than I thought I did at graduation. I have learned how vulnerable I am when facing life’s challenges: managing a career, embracing motherhood, and confronting death. But in the midst of these challenges, I look to Christ and discover what the disciples discovered in today’s Gospel, “Now we realize that you know everything.”
After losing my dad in 2016 to a massive heart attack that immediately took his life, I tried, like any mourning daughter, to rationalize his death. How is it just, dear God, that a young, healthy, loving man should die, without warning or farewell, a few months before my wedding, before my sister’s graduation, before meeting his grandchildren?
I stopped asking these questions when I realized, like the disciples, “that you do not need to have anyone question you.” What is my faith if not a strong trust in God during these darkest times? I believe in God because he provides for me in ways I may not yet understand, even in the midst of inexplicable, irrational pain. Christ’s death and resurrection demonstrate God’s powerful love that warrants our trust.
“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage.” Christ has conquered the world for my dad, for me, and for you. Our faith is our trust in Christ’s conquest.
Prayer
All-powerful and ever living God, your Son, Jesus Christ, taught us to not be afraid of pain and suffering. As we face this world’s uncertainties and challenges, send your Spirit to sustain, nourish, and fortify us for wherever life takes us. Help us to remain faithful in good times and bad until we see you again and rejoice in your presence forever. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Even though Africa was one of the earliest homes for Christianity, the interior of the continent had not been evangelized until modern times. Missionaries first entered central Africa in 1879, and started to evangelize there.
Catholic missionaries made progress engaging people in Uganda until the local ruler was replaced by a new leader, Mwanga, who was displeased with Christians because they opposed his indulgent lifestyle.
Mwanga was often drunk, and forced himself upon the young boys who served at court. One of Mwanga’s subjects, Joseph Mkasa, was in charge of the pages and led the Christian community that had started to grow in the palace. Joseph openly rebuked Mwanga for these evils and for killing Protestant missionaries in a massacre. Mwanga threatened Joseph with death, but Joseph replied, “A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die.” In November of 1885, Joseph was beheaded.
Tensions continued to rise when other Christians refused to be fearful of this display of power. Charles Lwanga had taken over care for the pages and for the small Christian community from Joseph, and did what he could to spare the boys from the king’s vice. In May, Mwanga learned that some pages were receiving instruction in the faith. He sealed the royal palace and rounded up all of the pages with Charles.
The Christians were separated from the group, and Mwanga asked them if they intended to remain Christians. “Till death!” they replied. He ordered them all to be executed—most were just boys.
The group of boys were marched to a place for their execution 37 miles away. A number were killed along the way. When they arrived, they were all wrapped in reed mats and burned to death.
In all, 22 martyrs were killed under Mwanga, and they are memorialized on this date. When missionaries returned to Uganda after Mwanga’s death some years later, they found the Christian community had grown nearly four-fold in secret, encouraged by the witness of these martyrs.
The Catholic faithful of Uganda mark this feast day with pilgrimages and major liturgical celebrations. The relics of St. Charles Lwanga rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and his story and image are used by high school students who come to campus for a summer conference with the Notre Dame Vision program.
St. Charles Lwanga and friends, you confronted evil, died for your faith, and encouraged Christianity in Africa—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Charles Lwanga is an illustration by Julie Lonneman, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of her art. Used with permission.