BEADS OF JOY 07-09-16
“Courage Under Persecution”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s
Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33 (Courage Under Persecution)
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Reflection:
This is a hard teaching and an even harder reflection. But Jesus taught us that we must embrace our cross each and every day His sake. We must follow after Him, there is no way to avoid it. We are either with Him or we are not. It’s very simple, there are two kingdoms, both are so far opposite from one another. God’s Kingdom is a kingdom of light and truth and love and mercy and righteousness and most importantly eternal; while satan’s kingdom is a kingdom of darkness and lies and deceit and evil and will one-day end. There is no neutral zone and there no way possible to take a position that allows both in our lives and be saved.
This is a hard teaching and an even harder reflection. But Jesus taught us that we must embrace our cross each and every day His sake. We must follow after Him, there is no way to avoid it. We are either with Him or we are not. It’s very simple, there are two kingdoms, both are so far opposite from one another. God’s Kingdom is a kingdom of light and truth and love and mercy and righteousness and most importantly eternal; while satan’s kingdom is a kingdom of darkness and lies and deceit and evil and will one-day end. There is no neutral zone and there no way possible to take a position that allows both in our lives and be saved.
When Jesus began His ministry he was
faced great opposition and violence and hatred. The hostility was part of what
He knew He had to deal with. Even though He was showing His great power of God’s
mercy through many signs of love with healing and many miracles they still
said, He was the prince of demons. Even after he freed people from the grips of
satan’s harm and deception they still hated him and did not believe Him.
Be strong my sisters and
brothers. Consider these powerful scriptures.
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Revelations 2:9-10 “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
