Nathan Hale… the bold young captain in the Continental Army, who went behind enemy lines, hoping to gather intelligence in the American Revolution, who was then captured and hung by the British, whose purported last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”
Saint Valentine… the Roman priest, who — absent the flowers and conversation hearts — was marrying persons within the Christian church at a time when the emperor was persecuting the church and prohibiting marriage, who was then imprisoned and tortured for his conduct, receiving a 3 part sentence of beating, stoning, and finally decapitation because of his stand for Christian marriage, with his supposed last words signed, “from your Valentine.”
And Joan of Arc… a onetime peasant girl who led the French army in several military victories during the Hundred Years’ War, known for her solid intellect, who steadfastly claimed to receive divine visions, who was burned at the stake at only 19 years old, charged with “insubordination and heterodoxy,” who refused to renounce her relationship with God.
Resolute.
Composed.
Committed to truth.
And one more powerful description…
Regardless of potential consequence.
Each of the above are identified as “martyrs.” A martyr is willing to die instead of sacrificing truth. Nothing matters more to them than what they believe to be true. And the truth is never obscured. It’s never veiled or debated or packaged publicly nicely so that no one will actually know what that truth is. Everyone watching knows what the martyr believes in.
My sense, friends — and I could be wrong — but my sense is that we are in an age with few martyrs.
So many, so often, sadly it seems, are willing to compromise — at the very least conceal — even alter to the point of convenience — what they believe to be true.
The concept of being willing to actually die seems foreign indeed.
What do many willingly do instead?
… exaggerate…
… deflect responsibility…
… blame…
… engage in ad hominem attacks…
… change the subject…
… deceive…
… lie…
… utilize rhetorical spin…
… or perhaps arguably worst yet, alter the truth.
I’m reminded of Jack Nicholson’s infamous line in “A Few Good Men”: “You can’t handle the truth!!”
Jack’s right. Often we can’t. That goes for many in public office… many of us. We are more apt to change the truth, cover it up, or make it somehow more convenient.
Where are the martyrs?
… the historical Stephen’s? … the man who knew something so powerful, inspiring and real, that he refused to compromise his message? Where are the humble and those always committed to truth? Where are those public servants who refuse to compromise their message?
I’m afraid they may no longer be here.
Respectfully,
AR