Today’s Feast on the Church calendar is that of the early Christian philosopher St. Justin, Martyr. He was born around the year 100 in the Palestinian province of Samaria, the son of Greek-speaking parents whose ancestors were sent as colonists to that area of the Roman Empire. St. Justin’s father followed the Greek pagan religion and raised his son to do the same, but he also provided Justin with an excellent education in literature and history.
As a young man, St. Justin became interested in philosophy and looked for truth in the various schools of thought that had spread throughout the empire. But he became frustrated with the professional philosophers’ intellectual conceits and limitations, as well as their apparent indifference to God. After several years of study, he had a life-changing encounter with an old man who urged him to study the Jewish prophets. He told St. Justin that these authors had not only spoken by God’s inspiration, but also foretold the coming of Christ and the foundation of His Church. This encounter led the aspiring philosopher to begin to take the claims of the Christians more seriously, and he eventually decided to be Baptized around age 30.
After his conversion, St. Justin continued to wear the type of cloak that Greek culture associated with the philosophers. Inspired by the dedicated example of other Catholics whom he had seen put to death for their faith, he embraced a simple and austere lifestyle even after moving to Rome. In his writings, St. Justin gave explicit written descriptions of the early Church’s beliefs and its mode of worship. In modern times, scholars have noted that his descriptions correspond to the traditions of the Catholic Church on every essential point. He describes, for example, the weekly Sunday liturgy as a sacrifice, and speaks of the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Christ.
St. Justin encountered no small amount of opposition during his public life and he emphasized the strength of his convictions by stating that he expected to be put to death for expressing them. He was, indeed, martyred in the year 165. He serves as a model for us today, an example of an educated and inspired lay person, confident and strong in faith. He inspires us today to use our power to “know and understand” the things of God in order to strengthen our belief.
Let us pray. “O God you revealed to St. Justin, in the sufferings of the Cross, the great wisdom of Jesus. Grant that our faith may grow ever stronger. We pray for the strength to imitate St. Justin in his constant efforts to make known the riches of the faith to others. Grant that we may be ever mindful of the many blessings we have received from you and help us to live in your truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
