Interesting that this passage caught my attention last night, while reading Archbishop Charles Chaput’s book, “Render unto Caeser”.
He was making the same point, although his reference clearly preceded the current HHS mandate debate.
“Decius was not concerned with wiping out Christians; he just wanted them to give up a little of their faith, to offer a pinch of incense, for the greater good of Rome.”
The blood of martyrs has been the seed if the faith. God Almighty was betrayed in Heaven itself, Jesus the Christ was betrayed by one who shared the same cup and so it goes. Satin himself conversed with our Lord, demons recognized him and identified him as the Holy One of God.
The battle is truly in the air, not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in high places. This is reason to pray for our enemies with pity and sorrow, for our repentance that we may be found standing until the end, praying against evil in a state of grace.
Imaculee, 1994 Rwanda, LEFT TO TELL. (The read of our lifetime.)