Give me the stomach, Dear Lord

Today is the feast of St. John Fisher, a faithful Catholic priest during the reign of King Henry VIII. St. John Fisher refused to acknowledge the marriage of King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn after the king divorced his first wife, Catherine, and was ultimately imprisoned and martyred for his opposition.

Of his last words, I find these most interesting:

"Christian people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's Holy Catholic Church, and I thank God hitherto my stomach hath served me very well thereunto, so that yet I have not feared death.

Wherefore I do desire you all to help and assist me with your prayers, that at the very point and instant of death's stroke, I may in that very moment stand steadfast without fainting in any one point of the Catholic faith free from any fear; and I beseech Almighty God of His infinite goodness to save the king and this Realm, and that it may please Him to hold His holy hand over it, and send the king good Counsel."

I often think of being martyred. (Am I odd?) I often pray I would have the courage to defend my Lord if there ever came a time in which I would need to in the face of death. I do believe I would have the strength needed to not deny my Lord, but St. John Fisher had more courage than even one who refuses to deny his Lord. He refused to allow his king to believe what was wrong. He refused to lie down while the king led his people astray.

Today's Gospel says, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them...A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them." 

I pray at the moment of my judgment I will be known as good by the fruit I bear. In these times it seems to take incredible courage -- the courage of a martyr -- to fight the good fight, to let no wolf in sheep's clothing be unknown. Give me the stomach, Dear Lord, to not fear, even death.

Prayer by St. John Fisher

Good Lord, set in thy Church

strong and mightly pillars
that may suffer and endure great labours,
which also shall not fear persecution,
neither death,
but always suffer with a good will,
slanders, shame and all kinds of torments,
for the glory and praise of thy holy Name.

By this manner, good Lord,
the truth of thy Gospel
shall be preached throughout the world.

Therefor, merciful Lord,
exercise thy mercy,
show it indeed upon thy Church.

Amen.

.