***
Gospel: Luke 21: 1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
When we think about Vietnam, it’s easy to associate it with the 20-year war fought between the North and South, which the United States was drawn into for 8 long years.
But the cross has long been part of Vietnam’s history. For centuries, Vietnamese Christians suffered under repressive regimes – from evil monarchs to Communism.
Today, for example, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Andrew Dung Lac and 116 of his companions who were martyred in the 19th century. Among them were bishops, priests, missionaries, a mother of six, even a nine-year-old child.
In all, it’s estimated up to 300,000 ordinary Vietnamese were put to death since the 17th century, refusing to renounce their faith in Christ.
***
So, what might their example say to us today?
***
Although Vietnam’s soil has been soaked by the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, we only know the names of a few of them, like Andrew Dung Lac.
They remind us that the Saints who line the halls of heaven are often ordinary people like us, who might be quickly forgotten in the annals of history, but never in the mind of God.
As Jesus himself said, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”
Secondly, sainthood is for any age. Records show that children as young as nine, perhaps even younger, have mustered up the courage to stand against their oppressors, clinging to their faith.
***
Like the widow in today’s Gospel, people of all ages have given their whole livelihood to God, which begs the question: How do we witness to our faith? When do we find it hard to be Christian? Have we ever put our cross down?
***
May the Vietnamese martyrs, known and unknown, pray for us.
***
***
Image credits: (1) FreePik (2) Asian Catholic Initiative, Archdiocese of Chicago (3) Come Let’s Pray