The Feast of St Charles Lwanga and Companions.

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1: 6 - 7).

Wednesday 3rd June 2020, 9th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Charles Lwanga and 22 companions. (1886, 1887). On the feast of Ascension 1886, the powerful but immoral King Mwanga of Uganda mercilessly killed Charles Lwanga and 14 companions who resisted resolutely his homosexual advances. Eight of the companions were killed later.

This year, this feast is in the Octave of Pentecost. The short lives of these young men will help us appreciate the power of the Holy Spirit in bearing witness to Jesus. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians," Tertullian wrote in the 3rd century.

Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you were baptized on Pentecost Sunday? "Stir into flame the gift of God." Paul said to Timothy in the first Reading. The big Gift of God is the Holy Spirit. The muscle that is exercised becomes strong and useful for service. No exercise can atrophy a muscle.

St Charles Lwanga and companions were baby Christians and pages in a royal court. Yet, they chose to die for their faith rather than compromise with Caesar. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of Your faithful.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com