But besides this outward loyalty of taking part in the Eucharistic worship of the Church, there is also the Church member’s inner loyalty of heart.  And that goes beyond the more obvious loyalty of watching over one’s very thoughts to keep them free from ill-will or hatred or anything else which is contrary to the character of Christ and which can disturb or disrupt our personal relationship with him.

For there is also the not so obvious matter of base motive, of doing the right thing for the wrong reason, that is, to have one eye on serving Christ and the other on serving self, whether by way of seeking a sense of self-satisfaction and self-admiration or a position of status and power in the Church.

For even more important than what we do is the reason why we do it.  Motive is everything.  The heroes and martyrs of the Faith like St George and Octavius Felix were characterised by a humility and self-forgetfulness which ensured that all they did and all they suffered was for Christ and Christ alone.  Whether they were well-known or unknown, remembered or forgotten, acclaimed or despised, that was of no consequence.

All that mattered was that they should so live and die as to honour Christ and set forward his glory.  Theirs was the true inward loyalty of heart, and only if we in our turn possess that can we ourselves be truly loyal to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer for loyalty to Christ

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the courage and loyalty of St George and ask that we too may be your brave and faithful soldiers and servants to the end of our lives.  Strengthen us in times of weakness and help us to honour you in everything we think and say and do, and serve you with a selfless love.  And of your great mercy, bring us safely to our home in Heaven, where with St George and all the saints we may see you face to face and adore you for ever.  Amen.

Reference

Acta SS Saturnini etc.  The passion on the 49 martyrs of Abitina, Feb 12th 304 AD, in Kidd, B.J. (1920) Documents illustrative of the history of the Church, Vol 1 to AD 313, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.