Thoughts for the Day

'If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world - therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, "Servants are not greater than their master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we celebrate the life of Justin Martyr who was born in AD 100 in Shechem. He was educated in all the philosophies of the day, Stoic, Pythagorean, Platonism, but none seemed to interest him. In AD 130 he had a conversation that changed his life. He learnt about the Hebrew scriptures and about Jesus, and began to feel this made more sense than all he had learnt through other philosophers.

After a move to Rome where he founded a Christian school, he wrote his First and Second Apology. We usually think of the word 'apology' as saying sorry, but in Christian terms it means a defence of Christianity against those opposed to it. Interestingly his work tells us about how the early Christians worshipped - it hasn't changed much!

'On the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a given city or rural district. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers.

When we cease from our prayer, bread is presented and wine and water. The president in the same manner sends up prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people sing out their assent, saying the 'Amen.' A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person, and to those who are not present they are sent by the deacons.

Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need.'

Justin was finally arrested for his faith in AD 165, and when threatened with death said, "If we are punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we hope to be saved." Subsequently he was taken out and beheaded. Since then Justin has always been given the surname, Martyr.

Lord God,
we thank You for the life of Justin Martyr,
for all that he taught the people of his time
about You;
and for all that he has taught us
about the early Church.
We also thank You for his example of
faithfulness even to death.
Amen,