Have you suffered any persecutions in the practice of your faith? - Daily Reflections July 10,2015

WHO SAID IT WILL BE EASY?

 

Gospels like the one we have today made people during Jesus’ time shy away from Him. They thought He was a fool. But the same Gospel attracted many even after His death. We, who believe in Him, do not think He was a fool. We believe He knew life more than anyone else. St. Paul went as far as saying, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor” (1 Corinthians 4:10). It is in this context that persecutions are acceptable. Persecutions are constitutive of the Christian faith. Jesus Himself suffered persecution and was brutally put to death on the cross. The early Christians, too, had their own persecutions. Indeed, no slave is greater than his master.

       The fate of our Master and Lord will also be our fate. But our faith does not tell us to look and aspire for persecutions. Persecution, when it comes as a consequence of faith, is part of being a Christian. In fact, Christians see them as grace and as opportunities to profess our faith.

       It is in this context that we can understand how our saints and martyrs lived. Their lives were as simple and as human like ours. They received graces from God like we did. They suffered just like us. The difference was in their attitude towards God and their challenges. They never lost sight of the finish line — the Kingdom. They never lost faith. Nothing could separate them from the love of God. They were blessed because they were willing to be insulted, ridiculed and die for the Lord.

       Jesus had given us everything we need to know, say and do to attain eternal life. He warned us that it would not be a bed of roses. He was honest enough to remind us that there will be difficulties at different levels. But He assured us of His presence and assistance. If Jesus is with us, who can be against us? Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you suffered any persecutions in the practice of your faith?

 

Dear Lord, help me to be strong and to hold on to You firmly whenever I encounter persecutions in my journey.