Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28/Ps. Dan. 3:62-67/Luke 21:12-19

Jesus in the gospel reading foretells his disciples the impending persecutions they will face. By extension he says, Christians at the time would be persecuted and tortured before the destruction of Jerusalem. Their only crime would be because they are his followers.

The Lord reminds and warns them of the challenges, trials and difficulties which they might have to endure amidst all the persecutions, oppressions and rejections from the world. They would even be betrayed by their own relatives – parents and brothers, friends and some of them would be put to death. Amidst of all these, their suffering would become an opportunity of witnessing for Christ.

From the gospel account we can testify that, the faithful people of God have indeed faced a lot of challenges and trials just as the Lord Himself had forewarned and predicted. Many of them persevered firmly in their faith despite all those difficulties and challenges. 

Beloved in Christ, what the Lord looks for in all of these negative experiences is mentioned in the last line of the gospel reading – endurance or perseverance. The Lord wants us to be faithful in the midst of apparent failure. It is tempting to lose faith when our relationship with the Lord, – our efforts to serve him – seems to bring us more grief than joy. So, in times of struggle and failure we are invited to rely on the resources the Lord gives us, so that we may endure to the end, and not just for a while.

One other thing we need take of is that, most often than not, God uses difficulties to make us people; He can trust and people He can use. When we face adversity, we must have the spirit of a conqueror. We must not try to escape or avoid difficult situations while we are going through them. Instead, we need to say, God, if this is something I have to go through, then I am going through it victoriously.

Lastly, Jesus says, “even members of their own families will turn against them and betray them (what I call, the Judas’ kiss) to authorities”. Nevertheless, he declares that he will be light in their darkness. He will be with them as risen Lord, giving them the eloquence and wisdom through the Holy Spirit that will enable them to bear witness to their faith.

So, friends, the experience of suffering and loss will become an opportunity to bear witness, provided we endure in our faith and don’t fall away. Suffering, even when unjustly inflicted, does not have to stop our loving. Jesus wants us to know that, God will bring glory both to himself and them out of their suffering. Trust God and endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ; for if you have to make a difference in this world, be assured you will either be mispresented or suffer persecution. So, endurance is necessary in this journey of faith witnessing.

So, let us all keep our faith in the Lord strong and alive, encouraging one another, supporting our fellow brothers and sisters, so that despite the trials and challenges that we may face in life, we may always be resolute in our commitment and dedication to follow the Lord at all times throughout our lives.

ROSARY PRAYER: GLORIOUS MYSTERIES