January 3. Saint Peter Balsam
Let us hear his conversation with the governor, Severus:
Peter answered: Balsam is the name of my family; but I received that of Peter in baptism.
Severus: Of what family, and of what country are you?
Peter: I am a Christian.
Severus: What is your job?
Peter: What better job can I have or what better thing is there to do in the world that to live as a Christian?
Severus: Do you know the imperial laws?
Peter: I know the laws of God, the sovereign of the universe.
Severus: You shall quickly know that there is a law of the most eminent emperors, commanding all to sacrifice to the (false, pagan) gods, or to be put to death.
Peter: You will also know one day there is a law of the eternal king, proclaiming that everyone shall perish, who offers sacrifice to devils: which do you advise me to obey, and which, do you think, should be my option; to die by your sword, or to be condemned to everlasting misery, by the sentence of the great King, the true God?
Severus: Seeing you ask my advice, it is then that you obey the imperial law, and sacrifice to the gods.
Peter: I can never be prevailed upon to sacrifice to gods of wood and stone, as are those which you now adore.
Severus: I would have you know, that it is in my power to revenge these insults by your death.
Peter: I had no intention to insult you. I only express what is written in the divine law.
Severus: Have compassion on yourself, and sacrifice.
Peter: If I am truly compassionate to myself I should not sacrifice.
Severus: My desire is to be easy on you; I therefore still give you time to think things over, so that you may save your life.
Peter: This delay will be useless, for I will not change my mind; do not what you will soon be forced to do, and complete the work, which the devil, your father, has begun; for I will never do what Jesus Christ forbids me to do.
Severus, on hearing these words, ordered him to be hoisted on the rack, and while he was suspended in the air said to him: What do you say now, Peter: do you understand what the rack is? Are you willing to sacrifice?
Peter: Tear me with your iron hooks, and don't talk about my sacrificing to your devils: I have already told you, that I will sacrifice to that God alone for who I am suffering.
No amount of persuading could make Peter change his mind and this day over 1600 years ago, he entered into the heavenly kingdom, giving his life in obedience to the living God. Let us also obey the living God today and tomorrow and the rest of our lives so that we can someday join Peter in that blessed kingdom of Heaven. Let us stop sacrificing our lives to the devils of today, luxury, television, self will, etc.
Prayer: Saint Peter, help us to stop sacrificing to the modern day devils of luxury by devoting our time to luxury, when we should be devoting it to prayer. Amen.
