St. Paul repeatedly published lists of the sufferings of Christians (see 2 Cor 6:4ff; 11:23ff). Paul described the apostles as "men doomed to die in the arena," "a spectacle to the universe," "fools on Christ's account," sneered at, "hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless," insulted, persecuted, and slandered (1 Cor 4:9-13). Paul stated that, in effect, Christians should expect to be treated as the world's garbage; "that is the present state of affairs" (1 Cor 4:13).
Paul emphasized our sufferings with and for Christ:
Christians, don't be afraid of suffering, or you will be afraid to live, die, and love. "Christ suffered for you in just this way and left you an example, to have you follow in His footsteps" (1 Pt 2:21).
| PRAYER: | Father, may my love for You impel me to suffer for You (2 Cor 5:14). |
| PROMISE: | "May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever." –Ps 145:21 |
| PRAISE: | Julie, the president of her high school class, witnessed to Jesus in her graduation speech. She told her classmates about the value of daily prayer. |
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