Tuesday December 26, 2017
Of Gods and Men is a French movie that won the Grand Prix award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. The movie tells the true story of the kidnapping and murder of seven French Trappist monks in the predominantly Muslim village of Tibhirine in Algeria by a group of Muslim terrorists in 1996. The movie focuses on the monks’ dilemma: should they stay or leave? They have the freedom to leave, and the government wants them to leave. But their leaving would crush the spirits of the poor, frightened Muslims of the village who count on them. Each monk painfully ponders the question, plumbing the depths of his soul. Finally, each of them choose to stay, in fear and trembling, but with a peace that dwells amidst all the terror in their hearts. Finally, they are kidnapped and beheaded.
We celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the martyr. Martyrdom is not easy, even for saints, especially when they have the freedom to choose otherwise. But inevitably, Christian martyrs embrace it, not because they are not afraid, but because they believe in a greater good and deeper love that impels them to give up their life even for their enemies. May our martyrs inspire us to live our faith to our last breath!
