Posted by The WORD in Other Words by Fr Jose Caballes SVD (Philippines) for Saturday 5th Week of Easter
I have always wondered why men who have sought and lived good lives should suffer tremendous hardships and difficulties. But then, persecution will always be an integral part of a Christ-like existence. The only way to confront it is to “embrace and carry it with love.’
There is something about difficulties that expose Jesus in a different light. Hardships allow us to know God more deeply. It is through these storms that we discover God’s love in new and wonderful ways.
There are several reasons why Christians are persecuted especially now when persecutions are becoming worse than in earlier times. We can say that the world suspects people who are different especially when they live lives of non-conformity. As it has always been, the courage to be different is the basic demand on the Christian.
Someone asked C.S. Lewis, “Why do the righteous suffer?” “Why not?” he replied. “They’re the only ones who can take it” (source unknown). We must remember that Jesus came not to make life comfortable but to make men and women great. Who among great people, more importantly saints, who has not experienced the tremendous pressure of pain and suffering?
It has been acknowledged that it is precisely in such conditions that God is able to give courage, peace and even joy to help people withstand such strong challenges. It is well to remember “A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.” – Mildred Witte Struven, in Bits and Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 6.
Source – The WORD in Other Words, Bible Diary 2020
