EMBRACING PERSECUTION ~ CookingFood.Org

“RISEN WITH CHRIST”

Easter Reflections

Saturday, 20th May 2017.

Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 16: 1-10;

Ps 100: 1-3,5 (R. 1);

Jn 15: 18-21.

EMBRACING PERSECUTION

The Christian by virtue of his/her Baptism is a missionary. He is called to share the Good News to everyone. In baptism, Christians rise from the fear of death, to the glory of the eternal life. We are no more a people who are earth-bound but heaven-bound. And this journey to heaven is not easy, since the values and philosophy of the Christian life is contrary to general thinking.

It is easy to think that the closer we grow to Christ the more we will be loved and understood by the world. We can think that everyone will admire our holiness and be good and easy to us. But it is not so. When we look at the life of Christ, we know it was not the case. He was obviously perfect in every way. But, He was treated with great malice and persecution. In the dark of the night, He was arrested, given a mock trial, found guilty and sentenced to death.

If we were there, as His first followers, we would have most likely been shocked, frightened, scandalized and confused. We may have thought that Jesus messed up and lost hope in Him. But His plan was perfect in every way and His plan did centrally involve Him enduring false accusations and malicious persecution. And by freely accepting this abuse, He redeemed the world.

Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. 10% of Christians are socially disadvantaged and harassed for their belief. Persecution does bring feelings of fear and pain. But it is something from which we should not run. We should not despair if it happens and we should not hold our head low. Why? Because persecution is a clear sign that we are following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus. We are more deeply united to Christ as a result of persecution than we could ever realize. The key is to know that God intends to use all maltreatment for good if we let Him. And we let Him use it for good when we surrender it to Him and receive it freely. Our response must be to “rejoice and be glad” that we have been found worthy to follow in the steps of our Divine Lord.

Let us ponder today on any form of persecution or injustice we suffer for the sake of your faith and embrace of the Gospel. Let us also pray for the Christians being persecuted in Syria, Egypt, China, Pakistan, India, etc.

Prayer: Lord, I do surrender to You all that weighs me down. I give any suffering I receive for being Your follower. May I not only imitate You in Your suffering, but also in Your willing embrace of it. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.