Ord. Wk 34th November 28, 2018
Reflection on the WORD
Witnessing: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims to His disciples, “You will be seized and persecuted . . . that will be your opportunity to bear witness.” Do we have interior struggles between living for Jesus and turning away from the crosses of living our faith with greater fidelity? What is Jesus saying to you personally?
Lk 21:12-19
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You will be seized and persecuted; you will be handed over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Make up your minds not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.
‘You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated universally on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your perseverance will win you your lives.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- When we commit ourselves to serving our Lord, we will inevitably, like Him, face opposition and rejection especially from people who do not wish to live in His ways.
- Such opposition would be painful and frustrating as we would find it difficult to see why people would object the Truth of Christ that teaches everyone to love and serve our neighbour?
- However, though many trials may await us, we need not fear. We must have the courage to take the first step to respond to the Lord. Be assured that He will give us the strength and graces we need to serve Him.