Born in Cordoba, Spain, sometime in the 9th Century, Roderick of Cordoba and his two brothers were raised as Christians during a time when Cordoba was under Islamic rule and the Christians, Muslims, and Jews co-existed peacefully. Roderick became a priest, one of his brothers converted to Islam, and the other brother became rather faithless. The Muslim brother kept trying to convert the faithless brother, and one day the two got into a serious fight. Roderick tried to break up the fight and the two turned on him and beat him unconscious. Thinking him dead, his Muslim brother loaded him on a cart, and taking him away he told people Roderick was gravely ill, but on his death bed he converted to Islam. When Roderick woke up he publicly refuted the claim, and his Muslim brother took him to a judge and accused him of apostasy from Islam, an offense punishable by death. Roderick calmly refused to deny Christ, and his faith won him the crown of martyrdom.
CHALLENGE
Religious wars can get heated, especially among family members. St. Roderick tried to be the peacemaker, and despite being slandered by his brother he maintained his faith and his composure. Today, orient yourself to God by saying St. Thomas Aquinas’ prayer “Concede Mihi”.
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