Following Jesus and Bearing Witness

For to this you have been called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ~1 Peter 2:21

"Martyrdom is the translation of a Greek word that also means witness. And so we can say that for a Christian the path follows in the footsteps of this witness, Christ’s footsteps, to bear witness to Him and, many times, this witness ends up in laying down one’s life . You cannot understand a Christian without witness. We are not a ' religion' of ideas, of pure theology, beautiful things, of commandments. No, we are a people who follow Jesus Christ and bear witness -- who want to bear witness to Jesus Christ -- and sometimes this witness leads to laying down our lives."  ~Pope Francis, 5/6/14 Homily

My dear Jesus,
today and always,

please give me the grace
of joyfully bearing witness to You,

in whatever way You chose for me,

even to the laying down of my life.

Amen.