5. Faith of Fr. Gabriel and Rodrigo


The most important decisions in our lives as well as in the lives of Fr. Gabriel and Rodrigo are faith decisions, and both of these men made decisions which cost them their lives because of what they believed in.


Rodrigo was a man of faith even though he fought against the Portuguese because he did what he knew was right, he helped defend the Guaranine even if their efforts were futile. I believe that from the perspective of the Guaranine the battle was a just one because all they were trying to do was protect themselves and their way of life. The Portuguese had no reason to attack the Guaranine other than to show their power. Rodrigo was a born fighter and he saw his best opportunity to help the Guaranine in battle, Rodrigo could have left with the Papal delegate, so could Father Gabriel. They could have left and never seen what happened to the Guaranine, instead they showed their faith in God by staying with their people, they were not afraid of death, they accepted it and fought both with sword and prayer to the end. Rodrigo and Fr. Gabriel took the risk of their lives in staying and lost them, but the trusted in God to save them and that is why they live on in heaven.


Fr. Gabriel exercised faith by staying with the people, but rather than fight with a sword he fought with prayer. Fr. Gabriel prayed almost constantly and when he heard the imminent cry of battle, he did not run nor did he raise a sword, he united the Guaranine for mass. Fr. Gabriel knew he very well might die for what he did but, he did it anyway, walking with the monstrance evn after he'd been shot and not falling until a shot went through his chest.


In the end Rodrigo and Fr. Gabriel do die but it is in the truest sense of their Jesuit duty, serving the company of Jesus, for the greater glory of God.


The term violence is an overstatement in my opinion for what I am about to say. I have never thought of hurting anyone as an alternative, that's just wrong. However, I have been faced with hurting myself by copying answers on a quiz or a test. These would be violent actions because they have the potential to destroy trust and integrity between myself and other people.My decision was not to cheat because it is not worth the injury it would cause.