My heart does a little leap when I consider the communion of saints. Somehow I can relate to their struggles and ultimate triumphs in seeking God. Because I have a personal connection to Uganda, the African country where Charles Lwanga lived and was martyred, I want to present his life to you as a reflection of Jesus’ words in the Gospel for today. May his example of courage and faith and care for others inspire us all.

Charles Lwanga was born January 1, 1860 in Bwanga, which became Uganda. A king ruled the small country tolerant of all religions and when he grew old and died, his young son assumed the throne. Charles had chosen to become a Catholic as did many in the  country at that time. The new king was very young and flexed his probably insecure power muscles by trying to stamp out Christianity, which was flourishing under the White Fathers missionaries and some Anglican efforts as well. The more Christians were killed, the more Africans converted to Christianity.

Since Charles, a new Catholic convert and catechumen, instructed many in the faith, the king saw his chance and made Charles a member of the royal court, in charge of many young men and boys, “pages”, who the king used for immoral purposes. Charles, seeing what was inevitable since he protested the king’s actions, baptized the young boys and men, who desired to be Christian. 

On June 3, 1886, at age 26, Charles Lwanga was brutally tortured and burned alive. Twenty young men and boys followed, saying the Lord’s Prayer aloud as they were killed. His feast day is celebrated widely in Uganda today.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus’ near ecstatic prayer to the Father in John 17:1-11a, summarizes their intense union  and Jesus’ desire for all who believe in him, realized in the witness of Charles Lwanga and his companions.

We are all invited to be martyrs - maybe not of blood but in belief. Let’s try to accept this invitation wholeheartedly, daily, in small ways or large.