Things I don't get

People who desire to be martyred for the faith. Like, actively desire it. I honestly don't get it. Statements like "I'd love to be in a white habit splattered with red blood all for the love of Christ" or "I'd love to be uttering (insert your choice phrase here) while being shot". I'm not really knocking wanting to die for your faith, but to be really uber excited about it? I dunno, perhaps I have not yet reached that state of holiness to be excited and look forward to being martyred for my faith.

If it came to it, yes, I would die for my faith. But it's not a prospect I look forward to, or relish. I think the hard answer is, it's a kind of drudgery to live for your faith. To live out your vocation in holiness, and to bring others to holiness. This is not to say that our faith isn't built by martyrs' blood (because it is, in a sense. After all, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the saints"). But, I think for some (not necessarily the ones I'm quoting here, after all, I don't know them) it's an 'easy' way out of actually living your vocation. It's hard work to be holy, and to be holy for those around you, to fight the devil and his temptations daily.

But, let's face it, neither is better than the other. Like living a life of holiness trumps martyrdom (or vice versa). Hey, if you make it to heaven, great! Be sure to pray for me when you get there.

(The picture, btw, is of Bl. Miguel Pro.)