The Martyrdom of Love

“Martyrs of love suffer infinitely more in remaining in this life so as to serve God, than if they died a thousand times over in testimony to their faith and love and fidelity,” says St. Jane Frances de Chantal.  She goes on to say that this martyrdom of love continues, “from the moment when we commit ourselves unreservedly to God, until our last breath.”   Our Lord does not intend this martyrdom for those who are weak in love and perseverance.

Today we are taught that the secret of happiness is in finding – yourself, love, money, the right job, etc.  St. Jane Frances de Chantel believed the secret of happiness wasn’t in finding, but in losing – losing ourselves.  She said we should, “throw ourselves into God as a little drop of water into the sea and lose ourselves indeed in the ocean of divine goodness.  When any thoughts or worries come to mind, send them out into the ocean of God’s love that surrounds you and lose them there.  If any feelings come into your heart – grief, fear, even joy or longing, send those out into the ocean of God’s love.  Finally, send your whole self, like a drop, into God.  There is no past, no future, here or there, there is only the infinite ocean of God.”

When we give all to God, then and only then, can we become martyrs of love.