Today we celebrate St. Agatha, one of the virgin martyrs. I didn't know anything about her so I did some reading. She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients, rape victims, wet nurses, and bakers as well as victims of torture and disasters. Her story is typical of the early female martyrs. As a teenager, Agatha pledged herself to God and made of vow of virginity. Despite persistent attention and proposals from a Roman prefect, Agatha maintained her profession of faith. The prefect, rejected and spiteful, he reported her to the authorities for her Christianity. Since this was during the persecutions of Decius, she would certainly face brutal torture and possible death. The prefect was sure that facing these deadly challenges would cause Agatha to reconsider and give in to his demands. Rather, Agatha reaffirmed her belief and is said to have prayed:

Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil

The prefect persisted and had her imprisoned in a brothel. When she still remained a Christian and unwilling to denounce God, he continued to argue and threaten to no avail. Finally, he had her tortured – stretched on rack, burned with torches, and whipped. Her breasts were mutilated being torn off with tongs, yet still she held steadfast – her fortitude and devotion exemplary! Since Agatha was not going to change, the prefect finally gave up and sentenced her to burn at the stake. An earthquake occurred and thwarted the burning and the persistent prefect. Consequently, she was again imprisoned and history reports she died there at about the age of 20.

I share the story of this remarkable young woman because it challenges me in my faith journey. How did these early Christians stay so steadfast and determined in their faith when facing torture and death? It's not the same as me saying, I have faith that everything will be okay, when I'm faced with challenges. This is truly putting one's life on the line. It is, indeed, facing the TEST! Will we pass? Will we (I) be able to stand firm as Agatha and other martyrs have done? I am reminded of some modern day martyrs such as the Jesuit priests in El Salvador in 1989. Their roles in advocating for a settlement between the government and guerilla organization was the impetus for their murders. So why they may not have been asked directly about their profession of faith, their lives demonstrated it. Last night as I fell asleep thinking about Agatha and this reflection, the mass shooting at Columbine High School and the declaration of faith by some students came to mind. While their faith may not have been the motivation for the killings, still some were able to declare their beliefs in the midst of the chaos.

One thing I can be sure of as I ponder all of this: in times of challenges on any and every level, I seek God. I don't anticipate that it will change as I meander through my Golden Years and the numerous challenges and losses that will await me. I may never be in a dramatic situation with a gun held to my head or burning torches to my body, but I have no doubt that I will be tested. I will remember what is engraved on the inside of my bracelet that I wear constantly: God is within her, she will not fall. I touch it whenever, I'm in a difficult situation. The thought sustains me and gives me strength like the little index card I had on my wall in my freshman dorm room: If God be for us, who can be against us?

This is Your Time – Michael W. Smith