DAILY PRAYER

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  You must be clever as snakes and innocent as doves…  When they hand you over, do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it.  When the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say.”  (Mt. 10:16, 19)

Jesus left the work of the Kingdom in the hands of those He had prepared, empowering them through the Holy Spirit:  “What I am doing is sending you… You yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you… When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” (20, 23)

He warned them to expect persecution.  No unconditional acceptance for His followers.  The Church boasts of St. Stephen, St. Paul, St. Peter… and thousands of other martyrs who followed the Master in some of the most furious persecutions known to history.  The apostles gave glorious testimony to the truth of the Kingdom of God through the persecution: “They will hale you into court, they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them and before the Gentiles on my account…  You will be hated by all on account of me.  But whoever holds out till the end will escape death.”  (17-18, 22)

The violent persecutions of the past are rare, though they still occur. Today, the devil finds it more effective to lead people into indifference and ingratitude — to simple rejection of the Gospel message.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 10:4 “In their insolence the wicked boast: ‘God doesn’t care, doesn’t even exist.’”

OUR PRAYER CONTINUES