Psalm Reflection: The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Cycle C

“I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.” - Psalms 145

Margaret of Clitherow was born in 1556, shortly after King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and assumed leadership of the Church in England. Catholicism became heavily persecuted in England, and fines were exacted from citizens who did not attend the Church of England. Priests were hunted down and Mass was said in secret.

Margaret married her husband John in 1571 at the age of 15. Although John was a member of the Church of England, his brother William was a Roman Catholic priest. So, when Margaret converted to Catholicism in 1574, John was supportive, but he remained Anglican. He paid her fines for not attending church services, but Margaret was eventually imprisoned several times beginning in 1577 for failing to attend church. Her third child, William, was actually born in prison, and she learned to read and write while incarcerated.

Despite these dangers, Margaret opened the doors of her home to harbor priests and provide a place for Mass to be said. In 1586, around the age of 30, her secret was exposed and Margaret was arrested for her faith and for the crime of harboring Catholic priests. She refused to make a plea for her innocence, as it prevented there being a trial that would entail her three children being made to testify, and being subjected to torture. As a result she was sentenced to death by crushing, which was the standard execution for those who refuse to make a plea in order to try and torture one out of them.

She was executed on Good Friday of 1586, which also happened to be the Feast of the Annunciation that year, an ironic coincidence as she was executed for her faith in Christ while she was pregnant with her fourth child.

She was stripped and had a handkerchief tied across her face, She was then laid across a sharp rock the size of a man's fist and the door from her own house was put on top of her

and loaded with hundreds of pounds in rocks and stones, so that the sharp rock would break her back. Her death occurred within fifteen minutes, but her body was left for six hours before the weight was removed. 

Despite the horrific nature of her death, in her final moments Margaret praised God. Witnesses reported that she remained joyful, smiling, and thanking the Lord for the honor of dying for her faith. She did not see her martyrdom as a defeat, but as a victory for her faith and a testament to God’s greatness. She was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, and her courage and unwavering trust in God’s plan continue to inspire Catholics to this day.

Her life and witness remind us that praising God is not only something we do in moments of joy and comfort—it is a profound act of trust and love that endures even in the darkest times. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: 

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Margaret lived this truth to the fullest. Her door remained open to the Lord’s will for her life, leading her to harbor priests through the physical front door of her house. And even though that same door was used in her execution, she never closed the door of her heart to the Lord. She praised and glorified Him in the midst of great trials and suffering. Margaret understood that Heaven, as the Catechism describes it, is:

“the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings.” - CCC 1024

The praise we offer to God is a recognition that He holds our ultimate fulfillment in His hands, and that it is promised to each of us if we remain faithful to Him, no matter the earthly consequences we may face. We will likely not be crushed to death for our faith, but we will certainly experience moments when our hearts are crushed and we are tempted to blame God or abandon our faith in Him.

In these moments we are called to have the faith and hope of St. Margaret, remembering her witness and how she truly lived the words of the Responsorial Psalm we will hear this weekend: “I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.”

• How can you give thanks and praise to God in both joyful and painful moments?

• How does keeping your eyes on heaven help you endure earthly trials with faith and hope?

• How do you feel called or challenged to live boldly for your faith today, even if it means standing against societal pressures or personal discomfort?

• How does St. Margaret’s example challenge you to practice sacrificial love in your own family and community?

• How can you ensure the door of your heart remains open to God, even when it leads to suffering or sacrifice?

I am praying for you, please pray for me and my family, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, May 18th, 2025, The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Cycle C: Psalms 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13.