When we hear of Nagasaki, Japan, our first thought may go to the detonation of the second atomic bomb during World War II.
But, today, we remember another incident at Nagasaki that happened three and half centuries earlier involving our saint of the day, Saint Paul Miki.
Saint Paul Miki was born into a wealthy family about the same time Christianity was introduced to Japan. He was baptized at the age of five and raised Catholic.
He joined the Jesuit order at the age of 22 and became well known for preaching and for conveying deep theological concepts.
However, he never became a priest. At the age of 33, just two months before his scheduled ordination, he was arrested. He and 25 others experienced their own Way of the Cross.
They experienced a death march of hundreds of miles through ice and snow from Kyoto to Nagasaki. Then they were crucified and pierced with a spear. Saint Paul Miki would have been Japan’s very first priest.
Among his final words, Saint Paul Miki said, “Having arrived at this moment of my existence, I believe that no one of you thinks I want to hide the truth. That is why I declare to you that since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies and all who have offended me, I willingly forgive the king and all those who have desired my death. And I pray that they will obtain the desire of Christian baptism.”
His life shows us that true martyrdom is not found in the finality of death itself, but rather testimony to Jesus Christ. Martyrdom is about profound transformation and witness as opposed to simply dying for a cause. It is justice that creates the martyr, not suffering. The sanctification of the land through the blood of the martyrs is simply the fruit of that justice.
Saint Paul Miki embodied the endurance of persecution and torture. In the process, he encouraged others, he proclaimed his faith, he invited his persecutors to embrace Christianity, and he expressed profound love. His deep connection with Christ was on full display until he drew his last breath.
Only through transforming union with Jesus Christ can someone express true joy in persecution, peace in times of trouble, and love for those who harm them.
As Saint Maximillian Kolbe, who would later build a mission in Nagasaki, said, “Let us not forget that Jesus not only suffered, but also rose in glory; so, too, we go to the glory of the Resurrection by way of suffering and the Cross”.
That is the power of the paschal mystery…the paschal mystery we celebrate and participate in every time we come to Mass. The very same transformation Saint Paul Miki underwent and that enabled him to become a martyr for Christ, is the same transformation we are invited to through the Mass and the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.
Today, through the Mass, we go to the resurrection by the way of the suffering and the Cross of Jesus Christ. Allow the Blood of the Lamb to transform you today. Allow the Blood of the Lamb to fill you with holy justice and a zeal to witness through missionary discipleship. For we too are called to declare that there is no other way of salvation than the one followed by Christians.
Remember always that those who sow in tears, shall reap rejoicing.
Thanks be to God!
