A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:12-19)
Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the persecution that the disciples will face in giving witness to him. Powerlessly, they will be handed over out of hatred to the synagogues and prisons and led before authorities because of his name. Parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will hand them over, and some will be put to death. In Jesus’ time, the persecution of Christians had already begun at the start of his public ministry, and it continues today throughout the world. Yet, Jesus reassures us that giving witness to our faith will mean speaking words handed to us by Christ, given by him a wisdom that persecutors will be powerless to refute. And the result? “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed,” Jesus says. “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
God, help me persevere in giving witness to you and to the bridegroom Christ and to his bride, the Church. “You will be hated by all,” Jesus says, “because of my name.” When I encounter this, even if it is in the form of society’s polite way of dismissing what seems quaint or impotent, let me have courage to speak through the Holy Spirit the wisdom of Christ. Give me the opportunity today and every day to speak boldly to profess my faith in the eternal truth of the person of Jesus Christ.
From the Gospel acclamation: “Remain faithful until death, And I will give you the crown of life.” Lord, give me strength today to speak your name boldly.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.