Before the icon
V. These people are suffering
R. I cannot leave my people now in a time of such darkness
A Reading
In the writings of Brother Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE
But in the year 1896, uprisings began against colonial rule. Many nationalists regarded all missionaries as working for European colonial governments, and Bernard was warned to flee. He didn’t know what to do, so he prayed. And then he saw a man, old and wracked with sores, whom he some time ago, had rescued, and taken in. How could he leave him to starve? So he wrote to the local priest and said, “These people are suffering. The Bishop has put me here: here I must stay. I cannot leave my people now in a time of such darkness.”
Two days later, On June 18 at midnight, men arrived at the door of his hut. Three men were standing there. They dragged him outside. Two of them held him down, while the third drove a spear into Bernard’s side. His wife and her friend ran away thinking he was dead, but Bernard was not dead. He managed to pull himself up a hillside to a spring, where he washed his wounds. His wife heard his cry and found him there. He said to her, “Although I am dying, my work, and the work of other teachers and priests has not ended.” She and her friend went to find some food for him, but mysteriously they seemed to see a brilliant light, and a sound of what they described being like “many wings of great birds.” When they returned, the spot where Bernard had lain was empty. His body has never been found. …
I love the image of Bernard, setting up his mission station, building a school, growing his vegetables, teaching faithfully. But what I most love is the image conveyed by these words, written of him, “he prayed the Anglican hours each day.” Something very moving about that. Every day, several times a day, he would stop, to pray the office.
A reading (if desired) from Nehemiah 6:6–11 (From the Propers for Bernard Mizeki)
In the letter was written, “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem also says it—that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall; and according to this report you wish to become their king. You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. So come, therefore, and let us confer together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done; you are inventing them out of your own mind” —for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
One day when I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, tonight they are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” [Nehemiah 6:6–11]
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who kindled the flame of your love in the heart of your holy martyr Bernard Mizeki: Grant to us, your humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in his triumph may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessed Bernard, who was faithful to the end, prayer for us.
——————————————————-
Feast Day June 18 1861 – 18 June 1896 Lectionary About Bernard Mizeki
Bernard Mizeki – Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE
The Story of an African Martyr
Icon writer: Suzanne Zoole Web