Today's Reflections
The Coming Persecution
Lk 21:12-19
[Jesus said to his disciples,] 12“Before
[the end] 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. 13It will lead to your giving testimony.
14Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name, 18but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
THEY WILL SEIZE AND PERSECUTE YOU. Speaking
about the warning signs before the end happens, Jesus talks about the
challenges that his followers will inevitably encounter if they remain
true to him. They can expect to be persecuted by religious leaders and
political rulers, betrayed by family members, and hated by all. They
will put their lives on the line. All these will be occasions for them
to give testimony to their faith in Jesus.
They
are not to prepare their defense because God will be their protection.
Jesus’ promise is not immunity from pain or conflict but the assurance
of wisdom and grace or spiritual energy to hang on and be faithful.
Divine protection may not shield them from harm, but every suffering
will be recompensed; nothing will be lost, not even a single hair.
Security rests on perseverance. After all, Jesus has declared the
persecuted blessed: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute
you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven”
(Mt 5:11-12).
How do you react to the observation that evil seems
to be getting the upper hand in the world?
No comments:
Post a Comment