EMBRACING PERSECUTIONS WITH HUMILITY - 05/20/22 (Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter)

John 15:18-21

18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on My account, because they do not know Hum who sent Me.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

For more information on the Optional Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes and Companions, Martyrs, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/21-may-saint-christopher-magallanes-and-companions-martyrs--optional-memorial/

Blessed Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes and Companions! Following Jesus Christ is pleasing to God, but at the same time, we should always be prepared to encounter oppositions and persecutions because of our faith. Jesus did not just promise us eternal life. He also reminds us of the obstacles we will face in our spiritual lives. A servant is not greater than his master. This means that we will not escape the persecutions that we will face knowing that the world hated our Lord. 

We are given an opportunity to share in the sufferings of our Lord by embracing such oppositions in our lives. There are many sins in this world that offend our Lord. For many people, they don't see anything wrong in using the name of God or the names of saints in vain. The use of profane language towards one another, even towards our Lord, also pierced the Sacred Heart of Christ. Whenever we see these sins and other faults in our culture today, we may feel hurt because of our love for our Savior. We love Him because we desire Him to be loved by others and not for Him to be offended by them. 

At the same time, when others see that we are practicing Catholics, they may mock us of our faith saying that our devotions and prayers are useless. We may also be the object of hatred of others towards God or towards the Catholic Church. Even if it's not directly about our faith, we are also persecuted when we are belittled by others and when negative words are thrown at us. And yet, the fact that a servant is not greater than his master means that we should imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Humble Savior. He continuously followed the will of the Father even by accepting His death on the cross. He is not like us who will engage in heated confrontations with one another. Instead, He offered Himself for our salvation, and He also offered His gift of forgiveness us despite our unworthiness. 

Let us imitate the humility of our Master. Let us avoid elevating ourselves to other people and let us avoid hating them, even if it's difficult because of how offensive people are. May we always forgive them in the name of Jesus deep within our hearts. We can pray, "In the name of Jesus, I forgive (name) for (mention the sin)." Not just that it gives peace, but it allows us to be merciful to them. St. Christopher Magallanes was a martyr who was killed by a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico. And yet, he offered himself willingly for the unity in Mexico and for conversion of sinners. Let's also offer to God the injustice we receive and our sufferings for conversion of the people who are offending God. 

And, we should also ask for help from the Blessed Virgin Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, who remained faithful to the will of God even if her beloved Son was crucified for our sins. No person on earth has the same pain and sorrow that our Mother Mary had. Let us ask God for graces through her intercession because with her help, we can embrace the sufferings and persecutions with humility. With the powerful prayers of our Mother Mary, salvation of souls may also be obtained, even to those whose hearts are so hardened by their sins. Jesus Christ, who suffered and entered into the glory of the Father, will change our tears into everlasting joy.

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic