TODAY’S READINGS

The Gospel reading is from Mt 10:17-22. Jesus promises persecution to His followers who are faithful to Him, but a happy denouement.

You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved. (v. 22)

“Persecution has an end, since it is created by man; salvation has no beginning and no end, because it is a participation in the life of God. ’Salvation’ does not come at the end of a persecution simply as a reward for having withstood the trials now past. ’Salvation’ is a full flowering and sure manifestation of that divine Presence that has been active all along in the believer’s witness. ’Salvation’ is the seed of trust and faith come full term ans yielding the fruit of indefectible glory. The physical mobility of Christians, as they flee persecution from city to city, is in eloquent contrast to their interior stability, grounded as they are in the confession of the one Name.” (Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word, Vol. I, 570)

“The phrase ‘to the end’ can have different meanings. It might mean to the end of a particular persecution. It might mean to the ends of one’s life (verse 21). It might mean to the end of the present age, when Jesus will return (verse 23). Each of these possible meanings is linked with a corresponding meaning of being saved. If “the end means the end of a persecution, then being saved means surviving it. If the end is the end of one’s life, then being saved means receiving eternal life. If the end is the return of Jesus, then being saved means being rescued from the tribulation that was expected when this age comes to an end (see 24:29). It is not clear which meaning Jesus primarily intended for his listeners. Readers of Matthew’s gospel today might best understand Jesus to be speaking of the end of their days on earth and take his words as a promise of eternal life if they endure in their faith.” (Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life, 194)

With the second quote, I can’t help but recall a preacher years ago speaking of those who obsess about when the end of time will occur, scouring Scripture for clues, attempting to read the “signs of the time” and, from that, making predictions. His message: we don’t know when the end of the world is coming but we know for sure that our end is coming, so be prepared! I have long been content with Jesus’ exclamation, further along in Matthew, to those to whom He was speaking regarding His ultimate return:

But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone…
Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. (Mt 24:36, 42)

This reading promises that persecution will be part and parcel of being a faithful follower of Jesus — from the Lord’s own mouth. Fleeing from tribulations because of our faith is a fool’s errand. If we truly believe, we embrace our cross, whatever the cost. Our lives are less than a millisecond in the clock of eternity. May we never compromise our beliefs in the slightest and put our salvation in question. Yes, hostility toward religion in general, Christianity in particular, and Catholicism most specifically, continues to grow. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude to withstand the ongoing persecution, that will continue to grow.

ST. STEPHEN, DEACON AND MARTYR

A good article for reflection. Yesterday we celebrated God’s birth on earth; today we celebrate the first Christian martyr’s birthday into heaven. The entrance of the second made possible by the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the first.

To learn more about this great saint, check out CatholicOnline, a go to spot for saints’ stories.

And to my deacon friends: being on the front lines, you are bound to experience little martyrdoms often. Pray for the strength to continue your witness despite it all. Who knows? God may use you to turn a misguided Saul into a zealous Paul.

St. Stephen, pray for us.

God bless.

Saint Stephen (c. 1575) by Luis de Morales