Most Americans probably associate the city of Nagasaki,
Japan with the second atomic bomb that was dropped during WWII. However, three and a half centuries before
the dropping of that bomb, Brother Paul Miki, a native of Japan & a Jesuit
brother, was killed with 25 other Catholics as martyrs for the faith on a
hilltop overlooking Nagasaki in the year 1597.
This group of martyrs was quite diverse including priests, brothers,
doctors, catechists, artisans, servants, old men, and children. They were united by a common faith, a love
for Jesus and his Church.
In many ways we can see Paul Miki & his companions as
prophets to their native land, witnesses to the faith who were not afraid to
preach the Good News of Jesus, no matter what the consequences would be in
their lives. In the Gospel today, we hear how the people of Jesus’ native area
questioned him and his message. This is
the boy they saw grow up in the street of his village. Who does he think he is preaching this
message?
In hearing about Paul Miki and his companions, about Jesus
telling us that often times a prophet is not accepted in his native land,
perhaps we need to ask ourselves who the prophets are in our own lives that
preach a truthful message that we might not want to hear. I think we all have things we struggle with,
we all have learning edges, facets of our lives where we can improve or
grow.
As we reflect on the challenging message that Jesus brings
to us today, as we meditate upon the example of faith & courage that Paul
Miki & the Japanese martyrs bring to us, perhaps we should ask ourselves
who stands at the edge of our lives, who pushes us, nags us, & confronts us
with a truth that is difficult to hear.
What a wonderful invitation to grow in our faith that this presents to
us.
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