St. Paul Miki and His Companions (2021) “Would I Be a Martyr”
St. Paul Miki and His Companions (2021) “Would I Be a Martyr”
In 2016 a very powerful film came to the screen which was called Silence. It was one of those rare religious films that Hollywood produces. The movie was also very thought provoking. One is left to ask the question, what would I do if I were placed in the same situation?
The film is set in Japan at about the time Paul Miki and his companions were martyred. Roman Catholicism was brought to Japan by the Jesuits. At first this new religion was allowed, but later it was considered a threat. The government wanted this Western faith to be eradicated so they set about persecuting Christians.
The film relates that one of the best ways to turn people away from Christianity was to force a Jesuit to commit apostacy. If the laity saw this, they would then question the veracity of the ministers who promoted the faith.
The movie relates the story of two Jesuits who do deny their faith. They do so only after being brutally tortured. The men stand up under the physical abuse that they are confronted with. But the mental torture is another matter.
The way that they show their denial of the faith is to step on an Icon of Jesus. At first the two Jesuits resist this sacrilege. But the men who torture them move from physically and mentally abusing them to physically and mentally torturing Japanese Christians that they know.
As the watch people being killed that they have baptized the two Jesuits are forced into a choice. What is the lesser evil stepping on the Icon of Jesus and denying the faith or letting a series of people be brutally murdered?
I will not tell you the outcome, but the movie shows the type of heroism that Japanese Christians displayed in the face of terrible persecution. Roman Catholicism survives as a minority religion in Japan to this day which says something about its resiliency.
Reflection Questions:
- Would there be anything that would make me deny my faith? What might that be?
- What is more detrimental to my eternal salvation an act of sacrilege or being indifferent to the trials of others?
Dear Parishioners,
Tomorrow is Scout Sunday. Troop 109 has over a hundred-year history in our parish. It is one of the oldest programs at Sacred Heart. Numerous men have received their Eagle Scout award and they are listed on a plaque that is at the entry way of Culemans Hall.
The Scouts are a great resource. Whenever we have a project that needs young backs and a lot of energy, we call on the scouts to help us out and usually they do a great job. Unfortunately, the Scouts are struggling like so many social service organizations.
A new aspect to the scouting program is that it is now coed. Girls and boys are both participating. There are adaptions that are a part of this. At times, the activities separate the girls and boys and other times they do things together.
Some day soon troop 109 may have its first female Eagle Scout. Congratulations to all the scouts who are being recognized this weekend.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark