I started this day knowing that it is the Memorial of the martyred missionary saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions. It is a day that moves me deeply in spirit as I consider the commitment, courage, and compassion that a group of Jesuit priests possessed, that led them to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the Atlantic Ocean to the wilderness of North America.
I was even more strongly impacted after hearing St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans that opened the Liturgy of the Word at this morning’s Mass, and our priest’s homily that explained the martyrs’ passion for the Gospel.
Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification came to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:12, 15b, 17–19, 20b–21, NABRE)
The clear motivation of missionary service is expressed in Paul’s letter. All humanity is afflicted by the sin of one man—Adam! There is no way round it. Every person in every place in every time and of every station and nation has been plunged into a terminal condition that only leads to death. There really is no way to sugar coat our dilemma.
And then we hear these glorious words from the great missionary himself, St. Paul: “If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification came to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.” So we are not left without hope. Through one man—Jesus Christ—we are offered life. “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What compelled Paul to travel throughout the Roman Empire preaching Christ, and ultimately lose his head on the chopping block? The great and glorious Good News of the Gospel! There is an answer for our common human condition: eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!
What compelled John de Brébeuf and Issac Jogues and their companions to leave their homeland and ultimately lose their lives in the wilderness of North America? The same great and glorious Good News. The Gospel was too important to leave it unstated. They weren’t worried about possibly offending their hearers’ sensibilities. The common human condition that they shared with Paul, the Romans, and the Hurons and Mohawks and with all of us, caused them to say with the Apostle: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). The common human condition led to their common call. A call we all share: to become “missionary disciples!”
O God of the martyrs, you called and strengthened Saints Isaac, John, and their companions to preach the Gospel by their steadfastness in fidelity, even unto death. Through their example and their intercession, strengthen us in faithfulness to live the Good News of salvation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.