Jesus' disciples are slandered (see Mt 10:25) and persecuted (2 Tm 3:12). Nonetheless, they remain fearless (see Mt 10:26, 28, 31), bold, and free witnesses, acknowledging and proclaiming Jesus, even before the most hostile of men (Mt 10:32). Jesus' disciples are not intimidated and manipulated. In their personal weakness, God's power in them reaches perfection (2 Cor 12:9). They even rejoice that they are judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of Jesus' name (Acts 5:41).
The fearless freedom and joyful boldness of Jesus' disciples shocks the world. The worldly find it hard to believe that Christians are really what they seem to be. Some people in this world even ask Christians the reason for their hope, joy, and freedom (1 Pt 3:15). Although the world baits, tests, and fears authentic Christians, it holds them in great esteem (Acts 5:13), while despising phony, lukewarm Christians.
May we all be authentic Christians, a people to be reckoned with and worthy of being persecuted for love of Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may zeal for Your house consume me (Jn 2:17). |
| PROMISE: | " 'Here I am,' I said; 'send me!' " –Is 6:8 |
| PRAISE: | As Fr. Juan suffered from terminal cancer, he publicly witnessed to his faith in Jesus by proclaiming: "I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future." |
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