In the beginning of the book of Wisdom, a group of people decided to beset, revile, and torture a just man (Wis 2:12, 19). They planned to "condemn him to a shameful death" (Wis 2:20). This group opposing the just man believed there was no life after death, "for haphazard were we born, and hereafter we shall be as though we had not been" (Wis 2:2). Therefore, they decided to "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" (1 Cor 15:32)
Today, we call this group of people "secular humanists." They believe man is the measure of all things and this world is all we should be concerned about. Secular humanists like to come across as tolerant. They espouse the philosophy that everybody should do their own thing. They accept and even encourage all kinds of deviant behavior, especially sexual perversions.
However, Christians are the one exemption to the secular humanists' policy of tolerance. They become militantly opposed to any expressions of Christian faith. They believe in free speech for everyone but Christians. They revile and torture Christians and conspire to condemn Christianity to a shameful death. However, in doing this, they prove Christianity true and themselves wrong, as Christianity withstands their attempts to destroy it.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be worthy of being persecuted for love of You. |
| PROMISE: | "If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all." –Mk 9:35 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, risen Jesus! You prayed for mercy on Your killers, on us, and on all those who most need it. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College