In a little over two weeks, on the first day of the Easter season, we will renew our baptismal promises. After that, we will be persecuted, either mildly or severely, for all who wish to live a godly life will be persecuted (2 Tm 3:12). May these last days of Lent prepare us for the renewal of our Baptisms at Easter. Then may this renewal prepare us to profess our faith even in the most severe persecution.
Because the Holy Spirit uses the lives of Christians to convict people of their sins (see Jn 16:8), Christians are intolerable even for those who pride themselves on being tolerant. Thus, Christians appear to the unrepentant as obnoxious (Wis 2:12) and judgmental (Wis 2:12, 14, 16). Just to see us is a hardship for the unrepentant (Wis 2:14). Thus, the tolerant make an exception for Christians and refuse to tolerate us. They may even revile, torture, or kill us (Wis 2:19-20).
Therefore, "beloved, grow strong in your holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). Pray: "I believe! Help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24, RSV-CE) Pray for an increase of faith (Lk 17:5) as you hear God's Word, for faith comes through hearing and hearing by God's Word (see Rm 10:17). Who is the conqueror of the world? It is the one who has faith in Jesus, the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5). As the season of persecution nears, now is the time to grow deeply in our faith.
| PRAYER: | Father, may my faith help me to respond to persecution with joy (Acts 5:41; 13:52). |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves." –Ps 34:19 |
| PRAISE: | St. Isidore of Seville, brother of St. Leander, St. Fulgentius, and St. Florentina, proclaimed Christ's divinity throughout Spain. |
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