04/05/2026

The English Martyrs

We can only avoid hatred of others by knowing that IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT has created each one of us to come into his presence at the end of our lives to see, be seen and judged. He died on the cross, was resurrected and is "the way, truth and the life".

Jesus told us that we are not Jew and Gentile but have to know ourselves to be his brothers and sisters as an integral part of "knowing, loving and serving" in this life. To enable us to do this he created during his death the mystical Church of Love, the New Holy Family by sharing his Mother with us.

                            "Woman behold your son. Son behold your mother."

Today's feast celebrated by the Roman Church in England remembers the heroic deaths undergone by men and women who refused to change their religion when subjected to "dungeon, fire and sword". 

I wonder what the souls of such as Thomas More and Margaret Clitheroe felt when their lives were so unfairly ended at the hands of other men.

As our souls come face to face with God it seems to me that there, in my case, have got to be many regrets for my sins, but the Merciful welcome into our permanent room or forgiving fire has got to totally fill our awareness of being with thanks for the inconceivable magnanimity of Our Saviour's Love to the extent that in St Thomas' and St Margaret's case excluded all the negative emotions that had been part of the real-time of their last moments on Earth.

There are many other English Martyrs than the two that I have named. The two Thomases Cromwell and Cramer were burnt at the stake. They were Protestants but before that they were men who would not give up their Faith in Jesus when threatened by the power of the state.

Throughout its history the Church founded on St Peter has too often been led by its hierarchy into entanglements with the politics of this world that paradoxically have enabled some of us e.g.  today's Martyrs, to reveal human heroism in the face of violent persecutions.

In today's Gospel Jesus warns his friends that they will suffer initially at the hands of their fellow Jews. 

Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

Dear Lord, forgive us for perpetuating the cycle of "persecution and revenge" that is still today being enacted in Palestine and is still so obviously against your will. Amen