In all of today's readings we are reminded of the opposition that our faith in Christ will provoke--and of God's faithfulness to us.
| Friday, March 26, 2004 Lenten Weekday |
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The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:
The Book of Wisdom was probably written by a faithful Jew in Alexandria, Egypt about one hundred years before the coming of Christ. Yet despite its early date, parts of this book, like today's reading, sound amazingly close to a description of Jesus. Although not worded as specific predictions, these passages are still very powerful pointers to the salvation that God had been planning from the beginning of time.
This passage, however, doesn't only point us to Jesus. It also describes aspects of the life of anyone who chooses to follow Jesus. We too can profess "to have knowledge of God," and we too can boldly call ourselves a "child of the Lord" (Wisdom 2:13). And at times, we too will experience some kind of persecution for our witness to Christ.
In all of today's readings, in fact, we are reminded of the opposition that our faith in Christ will provoke--and of God's faithfulness to us. In the responsorial psalm, we hear that "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all" (Psalm 34:19). In the gospel reading, we hear of a failed attempt to arrest Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles because "his hour had not yet come" (John 7:30).
God will rescue us! You may face opposition when you follow Christ. Jesus himself died--but God raised him up again! Rest assured that no matter what the suffering, God will always bless you far beyond what you have had to endure. And isn't it worth it anyway? Wouldn't you be willing to be ridiculed for your faith if you knew that your witness helped someone else come to know God's love and salvation?
So don't hesitate the next time you have a chance to share with someone about Jesus. Sure, you may be mocked or rejected, but the rewards--both for you and for the other person--far outweigh the losses. As you follow Christ, you'll find that he is working through you in unpredictable, even mystical ways. And not only does that mean that you don't need to be a brilliant theologian or charismatic speaker ... it also means that he will sustain and strengthen you in any trials you face.
"Lord, I pray today for all those who are being persecuted for their faith. Comfort them, Jesus, and give them your divine strength."
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God bless.
AC
Pope Says Sundays for God, Not Sports
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul on Friday said Sunday should be a day for God, not for secular diversions like entertainment and sports.
"When Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes subordinate to a secular concept of 'weekend' dominated by such things as entertainment and sport, people stay locked within a horizon so narrow that they can no longer see the heavens," the pontiff said in a speech to Australian bishops.
John Paul criticized the "culture of the 'here and now,'" urging Church leaders to "lead men and women from the shadows of moral confusion and ambiguous thinking." The 83-year-old pope also encouraged Christians, especially young people, to remain faithful to Sunday Mass, saying the secular culture was undermining family life.