REFLECTIONS TODAY
Awaiting the Lord’s return and taking seriously our following of Jesus may lead us into persecution and hardships. Our Lord’s life attested to this: He was always challenged and harassed by His opponents who either doubted or altogether refused to accept Him.
Even in our own families, we do experience the same as we stand for our Christian values and principles. For there will always be people who are not comfortable with the truth, with justice, with righteous ways, etc., as these conflict with their worldly values.
But the Lord encourages us not to be moved or threatened by these forces, for we will receive help and even be given words to counter our enemies. The lives of many of our saints, especially the martyrs, attest to this: they were given extraordinary courage to face their opponents, even at the price of their own blood.
May we be imbued with this grace of fortitude and courage in the face of opposition and harships.
First Reading • Rv 15:1-4
I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God’s fury is accomplished.
Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name.
They were holding God’s harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name?
For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Gospel • Luke 21:12-19
Jesus said to the crowd: “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. It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 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, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.