CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S SALVATION - 02/06/23 (Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs)

Mark 6:56

Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. 

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020623.cfm

Blessed Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions! When the crowd saw Jesus, they immediately laid the sick and begged Him for healing. They had confidence and trust that if they could only touch His cloak that they would be healed. The physical healing of the sick in the Gospel also represents a deeper type of healing, a spiritual healing. In physical healing, they were cured from their sickness, and they were able to continue in their life with good health. In our spiritual life, we should seek to be cured from our spiritual sickness, our sins, and we should persevere in doing the will of God and avoiding sins. Unfortunately, some may not have the correct understanding of what it means to have confidence in God. Some think that having confidence in God's salvation means that they don't have to do anything, and they can still enter the Kingdom of heaven. Because of this, some people think that it's not important to be faithful to the teachings of the Church and of the commandments of God while they are busier thinking of their money and achievements. To have confidence in the gift of salvation, we will recognize that this is what is most important in our lives, and because of this, we will desire to give ourselves totally to God with the hope of loving Him for eternity in heaven. 

We can also see this in the example of St. Paul Miki and his companions. In 1587, the government authorities in Japan became concerned of the growing number of Christians, and because of this, they outlawed this religion. In 1597, the government arrested 26 Catholics, and one of them was Brother Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit. They were tortured, one of their ears was severed, and they were crucified. Despite all of these sufferings, Brother Paul Miki, together with his companions, remained faithful to God because they had confidence in Him. Before the death of St. Paul Miki, he proclaimed Jesus as the only way to salvation to the crowd. He told them that he had forgiven the emperor and those who desired their death. He also preached to them that they needed to be baptized and accept Christianity because St. Paul Miki still had the salvation of souls in his mind. May we imitate the martyrs in being firm in our faith and in seeking the gift of salvation. If we have committed grave sins, let's repent of our sins and have confidence in the mercy of God in the sacrament of confession. May we also trust in Jesus that He has given us the graces we need to endure all trials and overcome temptations. We should not doubt the goodness of God towards us because Jesus is the Way to our salvation. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Saints Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs—Memorial:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/february-6-saints-paul-miki-and-companions-martyrs/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth