MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 10:24-33
Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN todays Gospel reading, Jesus Christ warns that his followers will be reviled, just as he was denounced. He warns us all that following him isn’t easy. Attacks can come on all sides. It can be from our family, our friends, and of course from those hate us.
But what is true is always true. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed. Hence, Jesus Christ assures us that all will be revealed in due time and everything would be ok.
So persecution would underscore the authenticity of our faith. If we never face any opposition, we might not be living the faith well enough or publicly enough. How do we handle persecution for our faith?
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, while worshipping Jesus Christ we realize that the truth of Christ has to take root in us. The unhappiest moments of life occur when we stray from Christ’s path.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, following you isn’t easy, but you are our beginning and our end. We love you as our savior. Grant us the courage to face persecutions, great and small, for the faith. Help us avoid complaining. Grant us strength to be daring for you now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
