Witness
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Reading (Matthew 10: 16-28)
I am sending you like sheep among wolves. You will be led before governors and kings for my sake. Do not worry about how you are to speak. What you are to say will be given to you at that moment. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.So do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed. What I say to you in the dark, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Song (Jeremiah 1: 5-10)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
Before you were born I dedicated you,
A prophet to the nations I appointed you."Ah, Lord God!" I said,
"I know not how to speak; I am too young."Say not, "I am too young."
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
Whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
Because I am with you to deliver you.See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I appoint you
Over nations and over kingdoms,
To root up and to tear down,
To overthrow and to destroy,
To build and to plant.
Reflection
Most Christians do not suffer persecution for their faith today. And in those places where Christians are opposed, it is often for social and cultural reasons rather than for matters of faith. But the reason why few are persecuted for their faith is that very few actually live by the radical message of the gospel. There is simply not enough evidence to convict us of being Christians.If we were to live by the gospel, the world would not stand for it. The world would not stand for our challenging it to live by the will of God rather than by our own will, or to see that all are treated with the dignity and justice they deserve as children of God.
To be a follower of Jesus we must listen attentively to his words. We must reflect and pray in solitude, and ponder the message of the gospel in our hearts. Then when the time comes we must speak out, not necessarily with eloquence or with profound insight, but with the simple, straightforward truth that is given to us by the Spirit.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us to carry on the work of salvation by taking the message of the gospel to all the world. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may have the faith to live by your word, and the courage to proclaim it wherever you send us.