Homily: March 20, 2026, Mass with the relics of Mexican priest Martyers

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Readings: Revelation 7:9-1; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9,; John 12:24-26

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4)

Today we are gathered here in the presence of the relics of six priest martyrs from Mexico. These holy men endured persecution, torture, fear, and uncertainty. Like us, they experienced struggles, doubts, and questions. Yet they remained faithful to Christ until the end.

Martyrdom is the highest form of witness a person can give to Christ. A martyr dies as Christ died—out of love for God and for His people. That is why the Church has always held martyrs in special honor. In fact, for centuries the Church recognized martyrdom itself as sufficient proof of heroic holiness. As the ancient saying goes, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The Church grew and flourished because so many believers were willing to give everything, even their lives, for Jesus.

Because these martyrs were courageous enough to die for Christ, He now consoles them with the fullness of eternal life. The Book of Revelation gives us a beautiful image of their reward: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” I imagine that the first embrace they received in heaven was the loving embrace of Christ Himself, who wiped away every tear they had shed on earth and filled them with unending joy.

Our tears are precious to God. Throughout Scripture we find people whose prayers were offered through tears. David wept in repentance, and God forgave him. Hannah wept in her longing for a child, and God gave her Samuel. Hezekiah wept, and God heard his prayer. Peter wept bitterly after denying Jesus and was restored. Mary Magdalene wept at the tomb and became one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection.

Psalm 56 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.” What a beautiful image. Not a single tear is forgotten by God. Every sorrow, every fear, every disappointment, every grief is known to Him.

The martyrs whose relics are with us today surely shed many tears before they shed their blood for Christ. Yet those tears were not wasted. God transformed their suffering into glory. Their tears have been wiped away forever.

We too carry tears in our hearts—tears for loved ones, for illness, for disappointments, for the struggles of life. When we unite those sufferings to Christ and offer them out of love for God and for the salvation of souls, they become redemptive. God can bring grace even from our pain.

Today, through the intercession of these holy martyrs, let us ask for the gifts of fortitude and courage. May they help us remain faithful to Christ in the challenges of our own time. May their witness make us steadfast in faith, firm in hope, and generous in love.

And may we one day join them in heaven, where God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Amen.

 


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