Courage under Persecution

Today's Reflections

Courage under Persecution 

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Mt 10:24-33

[Jesus said to the Twelve,] ²⁴“No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. ²⁵It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

²⁶“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. ²⁷What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. ³⁰Even all the hairs of your head are counted. ³¹So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ³²Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. ³³But whoever denies me before others,         I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Reflection:

So do not be afraid. Why? Even when there is persecution, suffering, serious personal problem, severe pain, rejection, or frustration, God is still with us and in control of our life and our future. God knows our pain and will comfort us. God sees our sufferings and will console us. God hears our cry and will attend to our supplication. God knows what we lack and will supply our need.

We are very important to God. Of all God’s creatures, we are the most special to God. God will do everything for our salvation, for our safety in life. God is most concerned with our well-being; God’s only desire is our entry to heaven, to be in God’s kingdom.

God makes everything possible so that we can find God, return to and be with God. But we have to do something. As Jesus assures us, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.”

What am I afraid of in this life?

I will bring them up to Jesus.

What am I worrying about?

I will lift them up to Jesus.