I recently re-watched the film “Barabbas”, starring Anthony Quinn in the title role as the man who was the one whom the mob chose to be spared from crucifixion instead of Christ. The film depicted the early faithful as courageous in the face of persecution. It trully brought home the fact that the early church was born in the bloody womb of martydom. I often look upon my young children and wonder, “what will be asked of the new faithful, if faced with a new persecution”. All martyrs are blessed, and I stand in awe of these 37 (and countless others) who have given their lives for Christ…and, in fact, for all of us.
