March Week 3 — Mission Cleveland Parish

Virtue: Courage
Resolution: I choose to live boldly with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, in spite of fear.

Human Story: Perpetua and Felicitas ( - 203)

Some of the most powerful examples of supernatural, Christian courage originate in the stories of martyrdom in the early church. When we read the stories of the martyrs or even hear of persecution in the world today, we can easily feel disconnected from their suffering. It is often challenging for those in the western church to relate to the level of determination and courage exhibited by the martyrs. However, it is still important that we allow ourselves to sit with their stories and let the gravity of their experiences inspire and catalyze our faith in Christ.

Early in the third century, the reigning Roman emperor, Septimius Severus, had decided to stop the spread of Judaism and Christianity. Under penalty of death, he outlawed all conversions to Christianity. Intensive persecution was aimed directly at new converts and their teachers. Perpetua was an affluent woman, liberally educated, married, and still nursing her infant child. She had a slave named Felicitas. Both women were a part of a group of five catechumens (followers of Christ preparing to receive baptism) who, in 203 A.D., were charged with disobeying the imperial edict against conversion to Christianity.

When initially arrested, Perpetua’s father came to her to persuade her to save her life by abandoning her faith. She answered that, just as everything has a name and it is useless to try to give it a different name, she had the name of Christian, and this could not be changed. The judicial process was a drawn-out affair, apparently because the authorities hoped to persuade the accused to abandon their faith. Felicitas, who was pregnant when arrested, was afraid that her life would be spared for that reason, or that her martyrdom would be postponed, and she would not be able to join her four companions. But her prayers were answered as she gave birth, in her eighth month of pregnancy, to a girl who was later adopted by another Christian woman. Seeing her suffering in childbirth, her jailers asked how she expected to be able to face the beasts in the arena. Her answer is typical of the manner in which martyrdom was interpreted: “Now my sufferings are only mine. But when I face the beasts there will be another who will live in me and will suffer for me since I shall be suffering for him.”

When the day of martyrdom arrived, Perpetua entered the arena, singing psalms and walking with confidence as the beloved of God. Perpetua and Felicitas had been told in a vision that while in the arena they would be attacked by a ferocious cow. Having been hit and thrown by the animal, Perpetua asked to retie her hair, for loose hair was a sign of mourning, and this was a joyful day for her. Reportedly Perpetua had been so deeply in the Spirit that she was not aware of the initial hit of the animal. She responded, “Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings.” Finally, the two bleeding women stood in the middle of the arena, bid each other farewell with the kiss of peace, and died by the sword.

The account of their arrest and imprisonment is believed to have been conveyed by Perpetua with the final details added by Tertullian:

O most brave and blessed martyrs! O truly called and chosen unto the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! [Believers] assuredly ought to read these examples for the edification of the Church… so that new virtues may also testify that one and the same Holy Spirit is always operating even until now, and God the Father Omnipotent, and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, whose is the glory and infinite power for ever and ever. Amen.

Reference: The Story of Christianity, Justo L. Gonzalez

Lesson: Acts 7:51-53 (NIV)

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.

Western Christianity has significantly influenced the culture of the United States to a point where three out of every four adults say they are Christian. A basic understanding of the Christian faith, along with an elementary level discernment, reveals that this is far from the case. It is quite easy to hide under the label “Christian” in this country, even if that Christianity is, at best, nominal.

In the early church, luke-warm Christianity was as foreign as Florida residents living in igloos. Throughout Luke’s two-book narrative (Luke- Acts) from Jesus’ ministry to the stories of the early church, he is showing that what God has done through Jesus compels a person to respond. Being a follower of “the way” was serious, and much was at stake. Without courage, it was impossible to persevere.

Stephen is as bold of an example of courage as we encounter in the pages of the New Testament. He is a “man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (6:5) and performs great wonders and signs among the people (6:8). The Sanhedrin is a group of powerful religious leaders who would meet on an ad-hoc basis to decide on important legal matters. Stephen’s summons to the Sanhedrin would be akin to an average American citizen standing in front of Congress. The expected response would have been to flatter the members of the group praising their power and wisdom and hope to be let off with a slap on the wrist. Stephen lives boldly and stands with courage. He gives a succinct, yet brilliant summary of Israelite history, followed by pointing his finger in the face of the most honorable men in the temple, accusing them of being no different than those who fashioned a golden calf 1400 years earlier after one of the greatest miracles the world has ever seen. Stephen is re-telling the story and exposing a common theme: unfaithfulness. (See 1 Kgs. 19:10-14; 2 Chr 36:16; Neh 9:26.) When Stephen completed his discourse, the Sanhedrin had him stoned to death.

To speak truth requires courage, for the truth spoken could result in dire consequences. The early Christians knew this. In fact, the first three centuries of church history are filled with martyr accounts, with Stephen leading the way as the first Christian martyr. The culture of 21st century America may be quite different than 1st century Judea, but the seriousness of following Jesus, and the courage it takes to be a true and committed follower, is remarkably similar. The lack of opposition we face today perhaps says more about the commitment level of our relationship with Jesus than the sanctity of modern life compared with antiquity. Stephen surely had fears like the rest of us do, but his courage over-rode those fears because of his commitment to Jesus. Though we most likely will not be stoned, we must be willing to let our courage over-ride our fears, no matter the cost.

Remembrance

A Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, The Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Challenge

Lectio Divina is a fancy Latin word for "Divine Reading". It was coined by Benedictine monks in the 6th century who were seeking to emphasize Scripture as the Living Word, as opposed to just another text to study. Using John 14:25-27 as the text, practice Lectio Divina by following these four steps:

Reflection

The introduction to March’s devotionals included the following quote from Brene Brown: In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” How do Perpetua’s and Stephen’s resolve encourage you to speak what’s on your heart concerning Christ?

Further Growth

2020

Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm: Psalm 95
New Testament: Romans 1:16-32
Gospel: John 4:5-42

Virtue: CourageResolution: I choose to live boldly with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, in spite of fear.