Feast of St. Justin 2010

Justin Martyr (100-165) was a second century apologist, a Church Father. At the end of this month, I will attend a seminar on Patrology. By then, I will be able to read more about him.
St. Justin was a philosopher. After conversion, he made use of his rhetorical skills as well as philosophical knowledge to present Christianity in a way acceptable to his contemporaries. In fact, the Church should have been doing this throughout the ages, though at some points of history, the Church was too anxious to defend orthodoxy so much so that she became brutally authoritative.
In studying Church History, we did a paper on the cult of martyrs before Christianity was officially sanctioned. We came across Acta, which are stories of the martyrdom. Among them, one particular feature stands out. Without exception, the martyrs professed before Roman magistrates the same formula: "I am a Christian". Interested readers may click the following link to read about the martyrdom of Justin. Besides Justin, Chariton, Charito (a woman), Euelpistus (a servant of Caesar), Hierax, Pæon and Liberianus were beheaded because they refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods and professed themselves Christians. Their action was noble and admirable.

Today, we read the last chapter of the Second Epistle of Peter. Here, we find a reference to a first letter.
This is now the second letter that I have written to you, beloved, and in both of them I have aroused your sincere mind by way of reminder (2 Peter 3:1)
But some scholars are of the opinion that the first letter is not the First Epistle of Peter but Jude! Let us keep an open mind.
The first reminder was that there were scoffers in the Church.
The second reminder was that God was slow to punish.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4).
Had God acted instantaneously, men would never have had any chance to repent. God generously allows us thousands of years to repent! How forbearing God is towards us!
The third reminder was that the Judgment Day would come suddenly when we least expect it.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10).
Conclusion: lead a life of holiness.
Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation (2 Peter 3:14-15a).
Nowadays, we do not have persecutions to prod us on. Life has become convenient and comfortable. It is indeed rather difficult to lead a life without blemish. A zeal for salvation is lacking.

Dear Lord, rekindle in our heart a zeal for the coming of Your Kingdom. May we devote our life and effort in bringing salvation to millions of souls in this city. Amen.