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“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute
you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and
they will have you led before kings and governors because of my
name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not
to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a
wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to
resist or refute.” Luke 21:12–15
It could be said that these are among the least consoling words
that Jesus ever spoke. Imagine what His disciples would have
thought upon hearing this. Some of them might have changed their
minds about following Jesus and walked away. Why would anyone want
to be seized and persecuted, or thrown into prison? Jesus even went
on to say that “they will put some of you to death.”
Though these words might not, at first, seem all that consoling,
they were inspired words and, therefore, must be inspiring. By
analogy, imagine an army general in charge of troops defending
their families and homeland from hostile invaders. If that general
were to say similar words to the troops, acknowledging that some of
them would be captured and even killed, it would be a reality check
for sure. But it would also inspire a certain courage and drive. In
that moment, the soldiers would need courage to face the challenge
that awaited them. Therefore, by being honest with them, the
general would stir up their courage and strengthen their resolve to
enter the battle.
We must hear Jesus’ words today as His battle cry, spoken to
encourage us. He is warning us that the secular and unchristian
world will be hostile. The leader of the kingdom of darkness, the
devil, is very active and, with his legion of demons and followers,
is seeking to destroy us. For our part, we must decide whether we
will retreat and hide, or enter the battle for the salvation of
souls.
Though most of us will not endure physical martyrdom for our faith,
it will happen to some. But for most of us, the persecution we will
endure will be on a different level. We may be mocked or even hated
for our refusal to accept immorality within the culture. We may be
called hateful when we stand up for the dignity of the unborn child
in danger of abortion. We may be deemed superstitious or old
fashioned by remaining faithful to Sunday worship and daily prayer.
And we may be thought of as out-of-touch or behind the times for
refusing to embrace the latest popular fads and secular values.
Sometimes this happens even within the family.
Instead of shying away from the various forms of persecution we may
experience, we need to allow our Lord to stir up a courage within
us that is fueled by love. We must deeply desire the salvation of
every soul and remain certain that the only way to salvation is
through fidelity to Christ.
When you are challenged by others or by the world, you must trust
in Jesus’ words. “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that
all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” When
we resist and refute the errors of our age, some people will become
hostile. But if we remain faithful to our Lord and speak by His
inspiration, then those who are hostile will be affected for the
good. Because Jesus said that people will not be able to “resist or
refute” the words He inspires us to say, we must know that our
words can make a difference in the battle for souls. We must engage
the battle with courage and love and rely upon our Lord to
lead.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that we are all in a battle for the
salvation of souls, beginning with our own. We cannot be passive
bystanders. We must move forward with much courage and strength. We
must trust in the guidance given to us by our Lord. We must be open
to the words He will inspire us to speak when needed. Resolve to
follow our Lord into this holy battle, and He will equip you with
all you need to be victorious.
My courageous Lord, You endured much suffering in life and
embraced it with pure love. Please give me the grace I need to
follow You wherever You lead and to be an instrument of Your voice
to a world in need. Jesus, I trust in You.
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