The Gospel, according to Luke (21:12-19)
Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
REFLECTION: What made you decide to follow Jesus? If someone enters your home, will it reflect a Christian home? Are you embarrassed to pray in public places before you have a meal? These can be places and signs when we may have the opportunity to show our Christian colors as a follower of Jesus Christ. Whatever is your lifestyle as a follower of Christ, one thing we know, it is getting harder and harder for Christians around the world to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
The pain and the tragedy that occurs by being a follower of Christ are not the whole story. In the Book of James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Jesus Christ never promised it was going to be easy to follow Him. Or that it would be a life free from problems and worries from this world. It is not easy to follow Jesus, as a matter of fact, it involves great sacrifice to stay firm in Him.
It involves deep humility; it involves giving up some of our family time. My wife and I did our share of that, as well as others, in the Diaconate formation. Personally, my wife and I missed two family member’s weddings, our nice wedding and our nephew’s. We also missed other big and important family gatherings that fell on the dates we needed to be during our five-year formation classes.
To follow Jesus even involves making unpopular stand on family and societal issues such as abortion, immorality, and other issues alike. Our lives will be shaken to follow Jesus, but we must persevere, we must sacrifice and carry our own cross. Yet everything that we do for Jesus is well worth it. For He says it in the last sentence of today’s Gospel; “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Let us therefore always be faithful, courageous, and firm in our decision to follow Jesus whatever it may cost us.
St. Thomas More, one of the great English saints of the Church is a wonderful saint for those individuals who are undergoing persecution for their Christian faith, something we are seeing more and more in the West and in other areas of the world. But we must all remember that we are ‘God’s servant first.’
In those times of persecution, look to the amazing example of St. Thomas More, that you too may stay firm and persevere to the end in forgiveness, charity, and truth.
ACTION FOR THE DAY: Today, reflect on your stand in your faith and relationship with Jesus Christ and if you think He sees you as a follower of Him. Also, pray to our Holy and loving Father, to please give you the strength you need to stand firm in your faith no matter what outward circumstances may surround you.
AUDIO REFLECTION:
