Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
Today is the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, the Ugandan martyrs canonized by Pope Paul VI. All 22 of these saints were young men between the ages of 13 and 30 when they were brutally murdered in 1886 by the Bugandan king for adhering to their Christian morality. The elements of good and evil, purity and depravity are clear and easily identified in the story of their persecution. Even while our own stories are less dramatic, we find ourselves deeply inspired by their faith and courage---because they stayed with Jesus.
In today's passage from St. John's Gospel, Jesus' disciples declare their belief in him and Jesus says to them, "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." The disciples have come to believe but do not understand how their faith will ultimately be tested. Is this not how we all trudge through our journey in life…not knowing when or how our faith in Jesus will be challenged? In times of weakness, discouragement or fear, we've all 'scattered', run away in fear, relying on ourselves and just trying to make it through certain times in our lives. We may even recognize our 'scattered-ness'…running away from the One we believe in. This is the brokenness we all must somehow face and struggle with all the days of our lives. It is because of the brokenness, rather than the situations we face, that we must learn always to depend on…stay with… Jesus.
It is hard to imagine the overt persecution and brutality that Charles and his companions faced in their time. However, to the extent that we believe in, claim, and follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master, we constantly face circumstances that distract us, tempting us to rely on our own limited resources. Our greatest challenge may be the in the small, insidious things that chip away slowly at our resolve to always place our faith in Jesus. May we pray for greater awareness and the strength to be faithful, just for today. May the story of the Ugandan martyrs be an inspiration to carry on with our journey…always staying with Jesus.
- Gail Lyman