Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs

Today's Mass Readings

In today’s first reading from the Second Letter of St. Peter, we find St. Peter’s admonition: “be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:14-15). Like the Letter of St. James, which we finished covering in the daily readings a few weeks ago, and like the First Letter of St. Peter, which we finished reading last week, 2 Peter contains much wisdom for living the Christian life. Today’s reflections are particularly apropos considering that today is the memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and the other Ugandan martyrs. The Ugandan king had St. Charles Lwanga and his companions executed for their faith and for failing to engage in practices which did not conform to their Christian faith. These Ugandan martyrs are a great witness to what it means to imitate the patience of our Lord Jesus, and to be found without blemish and at peace.

Our virtue for today- Patience in the midst of turmoil.

The peace of Christ comes about through our imitation of Jesus’ patience, which is, for us our salvation. Jesus’ patience is best exemplified by His patient suffering during His passion and death on the cross. The fruit of His patience is His joyful resurrection. Let us endure patiently as did Jesus, but with an eye to the resurrection hope. This was the hope that St. Charles Lwanga and his companions had, and it was the hope they experienced. Let’s take hold of this hope with patience, in the peace of Christ, keeping ourselves pure and holy, without spot or blemish.

Jeff Morrow