Motivated by a Martyr
As we approach the fourth Sunday of Lent, we are introduced to the martyrdom of Polycarp as a result of his refusal to “swear by the genius of Caesar.” At this point of the journey in the season of Lent, Al Truesdale emphasizes the threats that are experienced by those who dare follow Jesus. Martyrdom is a somewhat unfamiliar concept. Few of us have ever encountered recent stories of individuals being executed for their beliefs and certainly rarer still are those who are killed because of their refusal to declare allegiance to the ruling authority. However, we all experience tremendous pressure to conform and our refusal to embrace prevailing norms can result in more than a simple loss of popularity.
In our extremely polarized society in which disagreement is frequently met with hostility, there are occasions in which a voice of reason can emerge to reduce the valence of emotional displays. From the writings of The Shepherd of Hermas, Truesdale argues that anger does not act on those who are full of faith. He also notes that anger does not turn the servants of God from righteousness because the power of the Lord is in them. Life is found by those who are willing to lose it (Luke9:24). In a compelling commencement address, Denzel Washington challenges the graduates to pursue more than a desire to make a living, he urges them to seek to make a difference.
The word martyr means witness. The witness of the church is challenged in less obvious ways during the season of Lent. Our Lenten observances and our preparations for the celebration of Easter are not nearly as obvious as the season of Advent and the preparations for Christmas. Much attention around the world embraces the joy of the birth of Christ, few seem to understand the meaning of the crucifixion of Christ. Nonetheless, Lent is a traditional time of preparation for those who may be candidates for baptism and a time of renewal for those who may have strayed from the faith. In addition to your other Lenten observances, reach out to the neighbor and/or relative whom you have not seen or to whom you have not spoken and invite them to join you in worship and study. The joy of the promise of the Resurrection is declaration of allegiance that we make to God—it is our contemporary refusal to ‘swear by the genius of Caesar.’
We are looking forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue our spiritual journey during the season of Lent. As we learn, share and grow together, we are reminded of the abiding presence of God and we are reminded of the sacrifices of martyrs—those whose lives were brutally ended because they refused to conform. Instead, we follow Jesus who leads us along the pathway of freedom and peace.
We’ll see you Sunday morning in worship and in class (don’t forget, if you miss the class Sunday, you can join the class Thursday morning at 6:00am!)
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
