Afraid of That One (VAMC)

Homily - Be Afraid of That One (VAMC)

DEAREST BRETHREN:

• JOHN de BREBEUF and ISAAC JOGUES were chosen in Christ;
• THEY WERE DESTINED in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will;
• SO THAT JOHN and ISAAC might exist for the praise of his glory;
• IN CHRIST WE LIKE THEM, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation, and have believed in him...
• IN CHRIST WE LIKE THEM,  WERE SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritancetoward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

AND BECAUSE JOHN & ISAAC knew and believed these things...

They heeded the exhortation of the One in whom they had been destined for glory: 

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear.

Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.

• Because they feared 
• THAT ONE!
• John and Isaac were fearless before those who tortured and disfigured and killed their bodies!
• Because they feared THAT ONE!

They feared not what men could do to them! 

And, they confessed before these men:

On receiving the blow of death, We shall accept it from your hands with the fullest delight and joy of spirit. 

For this reason, O beloved Jesus, and because of the surging joy which moves us, here and now we offer our blood and our bodies and our lives. 

May we die only for you, if you will grant us this grace, since you willingly died for us. 

Let us so live that you may grant us the gift of such a happy death. 

In this way, Our God and Saviour, We will take from your hand the cup of your sufferings and call on your name: 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

• THEY DID THIS...Because they feared THAT ONE!

O Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, and your holy Companions, Martyrs of Jesus Christ: Intercede for us!

Pray that we, like you, would be AFRAID OF THAT ONE!

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See the Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (1:11-14) Gospel of Saint Luke (12:1-7)