Hope in the Midst of Persecution

Wednesday 23rd November 2022. Read Rev. 15:1-4, Ps. 98:1-3,7-9, Luke 21:12-19 

“You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” (Luke 21:17-19)

I once read somewhere: “Be grateful for your troublesome landlord; if not for him, you might never have thought about building your own house.” Always thank your enemies; those who make life difficult for you because these are the very people who end up bringing out the very best in you.

As a little kid, there was a short fence separating our house from the next apartment. I never knew I could jump that fence until I was chased by an angry hen for disturbing one of its chicks. Later on, I tried several times to jump that same fence but I couldn’t. That experience taught me a wonderful lesson: that even in the most painful situations, the best could come.

This was exactly the message John was passing on to his audience in the book of Revelations. The sea of glass mingled with fire represents the torture, pains, hardships, sacrifices, sweat, tears, and blood of Christians who were being slaughtered under the reign of Emperor Diocletian (the beast). John was assuring his readers of eventual redemption and glory if only they remained steadfast in the faith.

The experience of the persecuted Christians was indeed a fulfillment of the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel passage when he noted: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons…. 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.”

Consider yourself lucky if people hate you because of your Christian Faith and your desire to walk as a child of the light. Consider yourself lucky not because of what you will suffer but because of what that suffering would produce later on. Even Jesus assures us saying: “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance, you will gain your lives.”

The very incident that made you shed tears will one day become your cause for joy either in this life or in the life to come. Never return hatred for hatred. Remember the book of Proverbs which says: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22). 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may I endure to the very end. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Rev. 15:1-4, Ps. 98:1-3,7-9, Luke 21:12-19)

© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu