Over the centuries there have been numerous saints who have longed and even prayed for martyrdom. We don’t know if Saint John had this same desire for martyrdom, but Christian tradition has long maintained he died a natural death at an advanced age in exile on the island of Patmos. In this Saint John dispels the notion that martyrs are somehow the true and first-class saints with other non-martyr saints being allocated a somewhat inferior status. Indeed, although the desire for martyrdom is certainly not incompatible with humility it can be an expression of pride and create a sense of entitlement that ignores the totally gratuitous nature of salvation. That one who loved Christ so deeply and completely should nevertheless not have been required to give his life in witness to the Lord is a reminder that the primary martyrdom is that of self-will and surrender to the divine will. According to this divine will some may be called upon to witness through martyrdom and others to witness through an ordinary and uneventful life lived in humble obedience and attentiveness to the Father’s will. Therefore, let us call upon Saint John praying that we too will focus on following where the Lord leads and not upon what we think will give God the greater glory.
Ronald Dombroski says
Good to reminded that there are different kinds of martyrdoms (witnesses).
That the ‘primary martyrdom is that of self-will and surrender to the divine will ‘. That right at the beginning of Christianity some were called to a more dramatic martyrdom, other to a more ordinary witness….but all were called to a deep love in Self-forgetfulness.