“Truth wears a crown of thorns”

Let us not forget: we are a pilgrim church, subject to misunderstanding, to persecution, but a church that walks serene, because it bears the force of love.” ― Blessed Oscar A. Romero: (1917 – 1980: Archbishop of El Salvador and martyr)

Gospel Text: (MT 10:16-23)
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”

Jesus was always realistic during His earthly life. So it’s no surprise that He says to His Apostles, “I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves”. His words were true in the first century, and are so also today.

Today, the Gospel emphasizes the troubles and contradictions we Christians have to suffer because of Christ and his Gospel, and how we must stand firm and persevere to the end. Jesus promised us: «I am with you always, until the end of the age» (Mt 28:20); but He did not promise his disciples an easy journey; on the contrary, He told them: «Everyone will hate you because of me» (Mt 10:22).

The reminder that we will be tested because of our faith could frighten many, but we are assured that the Father is with us. The prospect of facing not only crises, but everyday burdens without this assurance would be a crushing burden. As you continue your journey, remember that God has promised to be with us, to be our guide, and to help us to find the courage to spread His word.