SCIC Triduum Day 3: Martyrdom as Witnesses of Christ

“The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them.” (Wisdom 3:1)
These familiar words from the first reading often bring comfort at funerals. But on this special day, as Fr Michael Teng began his homily, they took on a deeper meaning. They weren’t just words for the dead. They were a challenge for the living. If heaven is our reward, then how should we be living today?

The theme of the celebration, Martyrdom as Witnesses of Christ, was not just about remembering saints who died for the faith. It was a call for all of us to live with the same conviction. To witness doesn’t always mean to speak loudly. It means letting our lives echo what we say we believe. If we claim to follow Christ, then our lives must show it, not with grand gestures but through the daily choice to love, serve, and speak the truth.

Fr Michael pointed us to Jesus standing before Pilate, saying, “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world: to bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) Pilate’s response still echoes today: “What is truth?” In a world where truth feels optional, this moment reminds us that truth isn’t a concept. It’s a person. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To follow Him is to let His truth shape every part of our lives.

Yet how often do we bend that truth for convenience? We justify small lies, cut corners, break commandments, and then tell ourselves, “God will understand.” But truth cannot be reshaped to suit us. If we adjust it to fit our comfort, we’re no longer following Christ. We’re following ourselves.

Living truthfully is rarely easy. Witnessing to it may cost us opportunities, friendships, even peace of mind. That’s why martyrs are not just honoured. They are needed. They remind us that faith must be bold. That when the pressure comes, our beliefs must hold. While not all are called to die for Christ, we are all called to live for Him, even when it’s costly.

The Gospel reading (Luke 16:1–13) was about the parable of the shrewd steward. At first glance, it seems strange that Jesus would praise someone who acted dishonestly. But as Fr Michael explained, the point is not about the dishonesty. It is about the urgency, boldness, and clarity of purpose with which the steward acted. If those chasing worldly goals can be so strategic, should not the children of light be even more intentional in pursuing the kingdom of God?

Jesus challenges us to be wise stewards of what we have been given, including money, influence, and relationships. Not for selfish gain, but for the building of His kingdom. He says, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends… so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” This is not about manipulation. It is about generosity, evangelisation, and creative love. It is a call to invest in people, in mercy, in mission, so that through our actions, others may encounter Christ.

In a world that often rewards cleverness for selfish ends, the Gospel invites us to channel that same shrewdness, but in service of truth, justice, and love. To live as witnesses today means to be courageous, but also wise. Faith cannot be passive. It must be active, creative, and grounded in eternal purpose. We are called not to hide from the world, but to engage it boldly and faithfully so that more may come to know Christ.

That call to act is echoed in the lives of the martyrs. They were not passive. They made a choice, and kept choosing, to stand for Christ, even when it led to suffering. Their lives speak louder than any sermon. And their deaths weren’t the end, but a beginning. A light that still shines.

We saw a glimpse of that light in the Eucharistic procession. Hundreds of flickering candles moved through the church compound in prayerful silence. It was more than a ritual. It was a sign of what it means to be a witness, to carry the light of Christ into the darkness of the world. Not hiding it. Not extinguishing it. But letting it shine boldly for all to see.

To be a witness today may not require drama. But it does demand faithfulness. It is about telling the truth, living the truth, and letting the truth cost us something. In the end, it is Christ Himself who gives us the strength to stand. To shine. To carry His light into every part of the world.

May we live our faith in such a way that others might see, and believe. (BV)