7 mars 2025
5
07
/03
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/2025
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The purpose of giving something up for Lent is so that when we reach the Easter weekend and focus on the cross of Christ, we have a small idea of what it is to make a sacrifice. But do we really understand what it means to sacrifice something of ourselves for God?
In the Cambrai Homily, a sixth/seventh-century Irish writing, when looking at the passage in Matthew's gospel which speaks of taking up our cross (Matthew 16:24), it says, 'To take our cross upon ourselves means to accept loss and martyrdom and to suffer for Christ's sake." It then goes on to describe three different types of martyrdom white, green (or blue") and red martyrdom.
White martyrdom is when one gives up everything they love, be that comforts of home, title or position: that is, giving up one's known life(style). This was to 'die' to your old life and be committed to the life God draws you to. This is what many of the Celtic saints did in giving up their social positions, be it in a royal household, such as Melangell and Hilda, or a position of nobility or in the military, such as Cuthbert and Illtyd, to become monks and nuns.
Green martyrdom was when one committed to spiritual disciplines or exercises, such as fasting or prayer vigils: to give up some form of comfort or nicety to be committed to a spiritual discipline. This could be for a selected period or for life. So, in essence, each of us who gives up something for Lent is practising this ancient Celtic idea of green martyrdom, for a short time at least.
Red martyrdom was giving one's physical life up to death for the sake of Christ and one's faith: the traditional understanding of martyrdom.
"These three kinds of martyrdom, the Combrai Homily says, "take place in those people who repent well, who control their desires, or who shed their blood... for Christ's sake."
The question is, how far are we willing to go for the sake of our faith? Green martyrdom for Lent is one thing, but what about committing to spiritual exercises for a longer period of time, or even for life?
In the Cambrai Homily, a sixth/seventh-century Irish writing, when looking at the passage in Matthew's gospel which speaks of taking up our cross (Matthew 16:24), it says, 'To take our cross upon ourselves means to accept loss and martyrdom and to suffer for Christ's sake." It then goes on to describe three different types of martyrdom white, green (or blue") and red martyrdom.
White martyrdom is when one gives up everything they love, be that comforts of home, title or position: that is, giving up one's known life(style). This was to 'die' to your old life and be committed to the life God draws you to. This is what many of the Celtic saints did in giving up their social positions, be it in a royal household, such as Melangell and Hilda, or a position of nobility or in the military, such as Cuthbert and Illtyd, to become monks and nuns.
Green martyrdom was when one committed to spiritual disciplines or exercises, such as fasting or prayer vigils: to give up some form of comfort or nicety to be committed to a spiritual discipline. This could be for a selected period or for life. So, in essence, each of us who gives up something for Lent is practising this ancient Celtic idea of green martyrdom, for a short time at least.
Red martyrdom was giving one's physical life up to death for the sake of Christ and one's faith: the traditional understanding of martyrdom.
"These three kinds of martyrdom, the Combrai Homily says, "take place in those people who repent well, who control their desires, or who shed their blood... for Christ's sake."
The question is, how far are we willing to go for the sake of our faith? Green martyrdom for Lent is one thing, but what about committing to spiritual exercises for a longer period of time, or even for life?
How many of us would be willing to give up everything we know as our current life and take up a new life, perhaps not quite so privileged, for the sake of a call from God-like so many missionaries have done over the centuries, and still do?
And finally, when we read that we are to take up our cross - that is, to give up ourselves to Christ - are we willing to risk the possibility of actually giving up our lives as many saints have done throughout history?
We may have given something up for Lent, but what about beyond that?
Contemplation
Think about what you have given up in the past for the sake of God, perhaps even just what you have given up this Lent. How much of a sacrifice has it been, really? Look again at the descriptions of white, green and red martyrdom. Contemplate what you might be willing to give up for God from now on, beyond Lent.
Reading
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. 'Heaven forbid, Lord, he said. 'This will never happen to you!'
Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's'
Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
MATTHEW 16:21-27 (NLT)
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, as I contemplate over this Lent period the sacrifice you made at the cross, give me the strength of heart to be willing to give up whatever you desire of me, be that simple things for a short time, the whole of my life as I know it, or even my life itself, knowing that you are with me always. Amen
We may have given something up for Lent, but what about beyond that?
Contemplation
Think about what you have given up in the past for the sake of God, perhaps even just what you have given up this Lent. How much of a sacrifice has it been, really? Look again at the descriptions of white, green and red martyrdom. Contemplate what you might be willing to give up for God from now on, beyond Lent.
Reading
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. 'Heaven forbid, Lord, he said. 'This will never happen to you!'
Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's'
Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
MATTHEW 16:21-27 (NLT)
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, as I contemplate over this Lent period the sacrifice you made at the cross, give me the strength of heart to be willing to give up whatever you desire of me, be that simple things for a short time, the whole of my life as I know it, or even my life itself, knowing that you are with me always. Amen
Celtic Lent
David Cole
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Red, White, and Green Martyrs? | Franciscan Media
In the book How the Irish Saved Civilization (Doubleday), Thomas Cahill talks about both green and white martyrdom. According to Cahill, Ireland was unique in that Christianity was introduced there
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/ask-a-franciscan/red-white-and-green-martyrs/
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A 40 day devotional guiding you through Lent. This inspirational book takes the reader through the 40 days of Lent to the celebration of Easter through the eyes and beliefs of Celtic Christianity....
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