Mass Readings for 23.11.11
Reading 1 Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Gospel Lk 21:12-19
Christians have been persecuted throughout the ages even till recent times in many countries. Christianity amazingly thrives on persecutions and Jesus forewarns his disciples about it in today's Gospel. The fellow Jews followed by the Romans persecuted the newly converts and tried to destroy the fledgling church and this is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and by the Church Fathers.Persecutions took place even within one's own family as it continues even today.Jesus tells his disciples and also us that in such trying situations not to react with violent thought, words or deeds but to trust fully in the power of God who will provide us with words of wisdom which will silence the persecutors.In periods of persecution one may have to suffer terribly or worse be martyred for one's faith but our eternal future is safe in the hands of God. And God will also severely judge those who persecute us as was in the case of the Babylonian King Belshazzar seen in the first reading. God is almighty and he is the final arbiter of man's fate.
It is also known that whoever stands for principles of Truth, Justice, Equality and Honesty are looked down upon. And those who practice Mercy, Compassion , Non-violence and Love are taken advantage of and have to endure suffering many a times.This is the risk God expects us to take if we are to be his disciples, but nevertheless God's true love and protection will ever follow us. We need supernatural strength to follow these ideals and let us pray for the protection of Jesus in all our struggles.
God Bless.
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