Those Who Refuse to Know, and the Honor of the Martyrs

But some who love to blaspheme will say that it was in God’s power to improve and soften the natural will of man. What better way, I ask, what better method could have been devised, what more effective effort could have been made to win back evil man, than having God himself to speak with? Was he not present before their eyes to teach them the principles of virtuous conduct? And if God’s own personal teaching had no effect, how much less would it have had if he had stayed away, unseen and unheard? What, then, had the power to hinder this most blessed teaching? The perverse folly of man. For the clearness of our perception is clouded at once, every time we receive with angry impatience the commands that are given for our blessing and our good. In truth, it was men’s own choice to disregard these commands and to turn a deaf ear to precepts so distasteful to them. Yet had they listened, they would have gained a reward well worth such attention, and not for the present life only but for the future one, which is indeed the only true life. For the reward of obeying God is imperishable and everlasting life. Those may aspire to it who know him, and who so order their way of life as to give others a pattern, a lasting standard, as it were, for all who want to excel in virtue to imitate. That is why the teaching was entrusted to men of understanding: so that the truths they passed on might be kept with care and a clean conscience by the members of their households, and so that a faithful and steady keeping of God’s commands might be secured. Its fruit is the boldness in the face of death that springs from pure faith and genuine holiness before God. [a]

The one armed in this way can withstand the storms of the world. He is upheld even to martyrdom by the unconquerable power of God, by which he boldly overcomes the greatest terrors, and he is counted worthy of a crown of glory by the one to whom he has so nobly borne witness. Nor does he take the praise for himself, for he knows full well that it is God who gives the power both to endure and to carry out the divine commands with ready zeal. Such a life may well receive the reward of a memory that never fails and of everlasting honor. For as the martyr’s life is one of self-control and obedience to the will of God, so his death is an example of true greatness and of a generous courage of soul. So his death is followed by hymns and psalms, by words and songs of praise to the all-seeing God, and a sacrifice of thanksgiving is offered in memory of such men: a bloodless, harmless sacrifice, which needs no fragrant incense and no fire, only enough pure light for the gathered worshipers to see by. Many, too, out of a generous spirit, prepare a modest meal to comfort the needy and to relieve those who have been driven from their homes. It is a custom that only those whose thinking is out of tune with the divine and sacred teaching could think a burden.