Martyrs
Yesterday afternoon a man drove a rented truck down a bicycle path in SOHO, murdering eight and wounding many others.
I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. Then I asked an angel, Who are these, my lord? He answered and said to me, These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are being crowned, and receive palms. Then I said to the angel, Who is that young man who is placing crowns on them and putting palms in their hands? He answered and said to me, He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world. So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord. - 2 Esdras 2:42-47
Today is All Saints' Day.
On this day we commemorate all who were martyred.
I can't help but think of all the slain as martyrs, selected, perhaps by chance or at random, yet selected just the same, to be victims, examples to place others in fear.
I like to think all were welcomed home and given their crowns, but for us among the living, it is not much of a consolation.
Who would rather be a saint than alive?
But if I was the one slain to be an example, to set a veil over of fear over others, what would I want the survivors and the true targets of this act to do?
Yes, we are the true targets, since the act of terror is aimed at us, to stop us from living a life without fear.
If I were the martyr, I would want you to stand without fear and live strong.
Sure, we can go after those who do these things, and maybe we will stop some, but going on with life is more of a slap in the face. It shows we cannot be moved.
Maybe today, we remember the martyrs, all the martyrs, and we vow that we will stop bickering and join together as one, and stand tall.
We can do that one thing for those who lost their lives, can't we?
More to come...