“Everyone pretends to be 'free thinkers', but few individuals pass the line into expressive territories that may be detrimental to their own social well-being.”

“Of course it’s dangerous. But it’s a lot more dangerous for all of us if we don’t do it. Even in a conquering army there are casualties. Safety is not the issue when we look at the Great Commission. The purpose of the church cannot be to survive, or even to thrive, but to serve.”― Brother Andrew, Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe in Christ

Gospel Text: (MT 10:17-22)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"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."

In the Gospel reading Jesus warns his followers that they would be persecuted because of their fidelity to Jesus. Throughout its long history countless men and women have given their lives in witness to their love for Christ and his Church.

We are fortunate that we are free to practice our faith openly. Do we realize how many fellow Christians have died for their faith and that, even today, so many practice their Christian faith despite danger and persecution?

We may not be called to such martyrdom and persecution for our faith: but all of us are called to be one with Christ and his Church in suffering whatever may be required in the practice of our faith.

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