Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Roman Liturgy affirms that the sacrifice offered by the Son of God is the “source from which all martyrdom springs” (cfr. Roman Missal: prayer over the offerings Mass of Saints Cosmas and Damian). It is the “source” because Jesus warned his disciples that they would be persecuted because of His name. When Christ declared himself Son of the Father, rather than abolish the Jewish understanding of martyrdom he completed it: death during persecution happens because of God’s name. It means spending one’s life to promote justice in the world; and this is only possible if God’s primacy is acknowledged. Martyrs in fact desire not martyrdom, as such, but the sanctification of the name of God, source of all justice in the world.
The sacrifice of the Son of God is the model for martyrdom. The fact that Jesus is God who has come into the world is the original truth to which Christians must bear witness includes the ‘scandalous’ love for enemies and kindness towards persecutors. In fact how could justice be installed in the world without the conversion of persecutors and enemies?
The blood of Christ, and though it the blood of Christians, is the confirmation. The world does not recognise God, we are told by Saint John. This is why the world persecutes the Church. The world persecutes the members of the Church guilty of proclaiming and witness how the world should be if it is to be liveable. The Church presents herself as the world already risen from the dead. In the pages of two millennia of her history those tinged with blood are more numerous than the white pages when the Church lived in peace, and the black pages when she was particularly darkened by the sinfulness of her members; because the Church, as Christ warned, must follow her Lord in this, indeed above all in this.
The martyr completes in his body what is lacking in the passion of Christ and this in favour of the resurrection, the growth and life of the Church. A Christian is ready to suffer injustice rather than commit it, and therefore to die. Faith gives way to charity which will never end (cfr N. Bux, “Perché i cristiani non temono il martirio”, ed. Piemme 2000, p 147-148).
Paul gives a magisterial outline of the theology of persecution, in particular in the first Letter to the Corinthians: « when we are insulted, we give a courteous answer. We are treated even now as the dregs of the world, the very lowest scum.» (4,13). Like Christ, the Church is always ready to pay the price, not of the loss of identity but of the loss of life, that is martyrdom.
Every year the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples documents the number of Catholic missionaries who offer the supreme witness, to further salvific dialogue with the peoples of the world . Allow me to say that more than a theology of liberation what is needed is a ‘theology of persecution’ which reflects the normal condition of Christianity in the world.
However this theology is already enclosed in theology Crucis. The path of persecution is compulsory; without sacrifice Christianity cannot grow - Soljenicyn said - (cfr N. Bux, “Il Quinto sigillo”, Libreria Editrice Vaticana 1997,p 163). Whether cruel or not, persecution constitutes the ordinary statute of the Church. The Martyrology is therefore the necessary handbook for the Christians and all men and women who strive for unity and peace. Since Christ’s first coming and until He comes again in glory, those who are persecuted are the most Blessed. (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2007; righe 43, parole 609)
