Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about St Jose Sanchez del Rio. This young man was only 14 years old when his government sentenced him to death for his faith. They flayed the bottoms of his feet and then made him walk on salt and on the rocky ground, then made him look down into the grave where he was headed next. They offered for him to deny his faith, but he cried, "Viva Cristo Rey!" which means, "Long live Jesus the King!" just before they shot him and sent him to heaven. To read more about him, look here.
You might notice a theme among the saints we've studied. They stand up to the tyranny of their governments. They suffer because of it. They're often offered a chance to recant, which they refuse. And then they're martyred. It seems a common path to the goal of sainthood to do these things.
Do you see any reason to stand up to the governments of the world today? Do you think any of them would put you to death for it? Did you know that there have been more martyrs in the last 100 years than in the previous 1900 years? Pray for those who are persecuted, and for the boldness to do what God is calling you to.
God, thanks for the amazing example of this young man. St Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us.
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