Posted by The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Bel San Luis SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Wednesday 34th Week in Ordinary Time
There was once a despondent man who complained to his mother, “I’ve stopped going to church for two reasons: I don’t like the people, and the people don’t like me.”
The mother gazed at him and consoled him, saying: “My son, you should go back to church; I’ll also give you two reasons why: first, you’re already 60 years old…and you are the parish priest!”
Poor padre, he must have suffered a lot from his parishioners.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” He was referring to the persecutions his disciples would suffer at the hands of the Jews and the Romans in proclaiming his teachings.
Today, although we may not be persecuted for our faith like the early Christians or those living under a harsh communist rule, we suffer from more subtle form of attack on our Christian faith and teachings.
For instance, there are Christians who criticize and hate Catholics for allegedly practicing idolatry when they venerate the images of the Blessed Virgin and the saints.
Persecution may take on the form of being ridiculed because you’re actively serving your church or laughed at as outmoded or “under the saya” for being a faithful husband.
There are those in parish organizations and religious communities who quit or “lie low” because they had been unjustly treated or hurt by criticism or a nasty remark. They indeed have good reason to do it. However, a steadfast faith should help them recover and not isolate themselves for good.
Ask yourself: When there are trials and persecutions, do you give up or hold on in faith? Do you believe that true discipleship entails following Christ who says: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you”?
In the Beatitudes or blessings of the Lord, he enunciated: “Blessed are you when they persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you, rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven.” (Mt 5,11-12)
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