Thoughts for the Day

‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember Vibia Perpetua, Felicity and their companions who were African martyrs. Their example proved to be of great significance to the early Church. Perpetua who was pregnant, was a young, married, noblewoman from Carthage, and Felicity was her personal slave. Along with Saturas who was possibly a priest, and two other men - Saturninus and Revocatus - the latter also a slave, they were arrested by the Roman authorities. Perpetua and her companions appear to have been catechumens and were baptised in prison. Condemned as Christians they were sent to the arena to be mauled by animals. Before this they exchanged the Kiss of Peace and affirmed their faith in Christ, the Son of God. Surviving their ordeal, they were executed for their faith by sword on this day in 203 CE.

With this in mind let us think of the situation in Ukraine, where 90% of its population are Christian, belonging to Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant denominations. While not strictly a religious war, nevertheless our brothers and sisters in the faith are being killed. We should pray for all who are in danger this day, and do what we can to help those who are suffering.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we pray for your people caught up in a war
not of their making -
for Russian soldiers believing
they were on exercise who now find
they are aggressors in another country,
and who face danger themselves;
for old and young in Ukraine under threat
of being killed;
and for all organisation and workers
who seek to protect them.
Amen.