Today we celebrate the feast of twenty-six martyrs of Nagasaki. In 1597, a group of native Japanese Catholics and foreign missionaries had to suffer death for the sake of their faith. Saint Paul Miki was training for priesthood, Kisai another companion who was a lay brother and John Goto a Catechist are the well-known martyrs in this group of best-known martyrs of Nagasaki. Saint Paul Miki and his twenty five companions were stabbed to death, with lances on February 5, 1597 and his last words were “after Christ’s example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as fruitful rain “. Therefore the blood of martyrs remains the seeds of Christianity perennially.

The Gospel proclamation illustrates the Apostles, expressing to their Master, what they had done and taught in His authority. They were the chosen to be “sent” or the official agents who were appointed or Commissioned by the Lord Jesus himself. They had so much to share with their master, yet the Lord understands the condition of the Apostles for he knew that they are tired and weary after their busy mission tour. Thus, the Lord invited them to a place of solitude where they can rest. As servers or even believers we can be assured that our Lord recognises that we may be weary at times, and he graciously offers rest for our physical bodies and souls. This need these moments of rest. This reminds me of the “Quiet Time Retreat” we had during the second wave of the pandemic. Certainly the Lord Jesus Christ is offering us refreshment and revival to us through this challenging times, as He is the all-knowing and understanding creator God. Just as the manufacturer knows the mechanism of his product, our creator God knows that we too need rest for our weary bodies and souls. Are we prepared to rest awhile with the Lord? Have we been sensitive to this call by spending a quiet time and listening to Him? Let us replenish ourselves with the living water that quenches our bodies and souls in this time of rest.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me a spirit of prayer to enjoy your presence in the quietness and be intimately bound to you. Amen