Fidelity in Persecution

Jesus said to his Apostles “Before all this happens, however, 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. (Lk 21:12-19)

Jesus anticipates the disciples’ risks and the consequiences of them being witnesses and proclaimers of the Reign of God. The persecution is an inevitable reality. But they should not fear, for the Father will protect them. Jesus will give them the words when they are before judges.

Persecution is an opportune occasaion for the true testimony of faith, therefore, we should not fear persecution. It is in that that we experience the most divine help and defense from God himself. Always it is thus in the life of the Church. The more persecution, the more faithful and the more faith. We have the witness of so many martyrs of the faith that raised new Christians.

In the moment of persecution, what does Jesus ask of us? Faithfulness and perseverance: “It is remaining firm that will win life.”

We ask in this day that the Lord give us all the necessary grace to become authentic witnesses, true disciples in all circumstances when all goes well, but also when we are persecuted for the cause of Jesus.

Father Clovis
Translated from Portuguese

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament © 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.