MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, Desember 26, 2015
Feast of St. Steven, The First Martyr
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 10:17-22
Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
NO body wants to hear the message about suffering for the name of Christ. But one day after celebrating Christmas, we have to read in the Gospel today, Jesus Christ who says about persecution and suffering. We may ask, what is the connection between the birth of Jesus Christ and his passion and death on a cross?
Jesus says that the way to glory in the kingdom of God is through the cross. If we want to share in Jesus’ glory, then we, must take up our cross each day as well and follow in his footsteps. Our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of our Master who laid down his life for us.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, we worship Jesus Christ, the Son of God who has taken on flesh and became a man for our sake to redeem us from slavery to sin and death. He gives us new life as the adopted children of God.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you give us sufficient grace to follow you and to bear our cross with courage and hope. May we know the joy and victory of your cross. Help ua to patiently and joyfully accept the hardships, adversities, and persecution which come our way in serving you now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
