hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to
trial before rulers and kings because of me, and so you may witness to them and the pagans.
But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say and how you are to say
it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it is not you who will
speak; but it will be the Spirit of your Father in you.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against
parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever
stands firm to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. For sure, you will not have gone
through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Reflect
While many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do face persecution, most of us will never
find our lives, homes, and livelihoods at risk because of our faith. But that does not mean
that our faith will not be challenged and that we will not have to defend our beliefs.
We should see these moments as opportunities – not to force someone to agree with us
or to win an argument, but as opportunities to witness to all the good that God is doing in
our lives. Our faith may be challenged by strangers, by work colleagues, by friends, and
even by family members. Their challenges may come from authentic misunderstanding,
from past hurts, or from hostility to what the Church teaches. Our response can increase
their confusion, pain, and anger, or it can help to bring clarity and healing. In responding
to these challenges, we should trust in the Spirit to guide our words and actions. Only if
we respond with love, patience, and faith will our witness bear fruit.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023