Daily Retreat 11/29/06
2006 Nov 29 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
Rv 15: 1-4/ Ps 97(98): 1. 2-3ab. 7-8. 9/ Lk 21: 12-19
From today’s readings: “I, John, saw in Heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring.... Great and wonderful are Your works, Lord God almighty.... They will seize and persecute you....”
Persecution Perspectives
Jesus speaks with eerie confidence about coming persecutions for His followers. It’s amazing that they all didn’t throw in the towel when they heard about what was in store for them - perhaps they thought the Lord was merely exaggerating?
Throughout the centuries, numerous martyrs have given irrefutable witness about the truth of Christ’s words. But, as Jesus Himself observed, not all of those who give testimony for His sake are crowned with martyrdom, for the witness of Christian faithful living is just as essential as the witness of faithful dying for Christ.
Needless to mention, the present age has found new ways of persecuting and attempting to intimidate the Lord’s modern disciples. The easy way out is to compromise our faith commitment in order to avoid persecutions - most of us would have to admit to doing that sometimes, but all of us realize that that’s always the wrong response! For even when confronted with the literal fulfillment of these pernicious persecution prophecies, the Lord Himself and all His faithful witnesses have shown us how true it is that, “by your perseverance, you will gain your souls!”
Rv 15: 1-4/ Ps 97(98): 1. 2-3ab. 7-8. 9/ Lk 21: 12-19
From today’s readings: “I, John, saw in Heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring.... Great and wonderful are Your works, Lord God almighty.... They will seize and persecute you....”
Persecution Perspectives
Jesus speaks with eerie confidence about coming persecutions for His followers. It’s amazing that they all didn’t throw in the towel when they heard about what was in store for them - perhaps they thought the Lord was merely exaggerating?
Throughout the centuries, numerous martyrs have given irrefutable witness about the truth of Christ’s words. But, as Jesus Himself observed, not all of those who give testimony for His sake are crowned with martyrdom, for the witness of Christian faithful living is just as essential as the witness of faithful dying for Christ.
Needless to mention, the present age has found new ways of persecuting and attempting to intimidate the Lord’s modern disciples. The easy way out is to compromise our faith commitment in order to avoid persecutions - most of us would have to admit to doing that sometimes, but all of us realize that that’s always the wrong response! For even when confronted with the literal fulfillment of these pernicious persecution prophecies, the Lord Himself and all His faithful witnesses have shown us how true it is that, “by your perseverance, you will gain your souls!”
posted by FrPitstick | 11/24/2006
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