Restoration, desire, and faithful witness stand at the center of today’s readings. Athanasius recounts the imperial and ecclesiastical acts that restored him to Alexandria, erased the decrees issued against him, reunited him with the Church, and even brought former accusers to repentance. Augustine prays that the hidden things of Scripture may be opened to him, declaring that his deepest desire is not for earthly wealth, honor, or pleasure, but to seek Christ in the books of Moses and throughout the Word of God. Aquinas then presents martyrdom as the highest act of fortitude: faith supplies the truth confessed, charity gives the motive to endure, and courage keeps the believer steadfast even when that witness is sealed by death. Together, these readings show that truth may be opposed for a time, but it must still be sought, defended, and confesse ...