Homily For Wednesday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 27th November, 2024

Readings: Rev.15:1-4, Ps.98, Luke:21:12-19

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE REASON FOR THE CONSTANT PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

The word persecution is often associated with the Christian faith, for most times when we hear about persecution, the victims are often Christian faithful. But why do Christians often face persecution? This is because in our world today, we see and hear of human wickedness, intimidation, manipulations, kidnapping, killing and other immoral activities people do for the sake of power, fame, money and lustful desires.

 And anyone who tries to resist, challenge, correct, change or stop these ugly attitudes, becomes an object of elimination. Yet, in the midst of all these ugly situations, Christians are required to continue to speak about God’s goodness, love, compassion and forgiveness, which humanity is not ready to embrace.  This, of course, is the reason for the constant persecution of Christians.

So, we should not be surprised when Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, declares that his followers are going to be persecuted on account of bearing witness to his name, a reality that will put even their most cherished relationships to the test: they will be betrayed even by their closest relations and friends. However, we should not prepare any defence because God myself shall give us eloquence and wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

Little wonder Jesus gave us the details of the challenges that await us as his followers, such as arrests, persecution, trials before government authorities, betrayal by family and friends, hatred on account of his name, and even execution. He made us know that we should not lay blame on a particular person or group of people, or the society, or even on our enemies for such ugly treatment. For they are rather an opportunity to testify and bear witness of him to the world. 

Here, Jesus not only describes what his followers will have to endure but offers assurance that he will support them and make them strong. So he recommends that there comes a time in the spiritual life of his followers when they will have to choose to endure rather than despair. For by their endurance, they will gain their lives. Hence, a period of persecution is a time to witness through our endurance, courage and tenacity. 

Dear friends, the circumstances in which Jesus invites us to share the Good News is quite challenging and difficult, especially now that the world is passing through difficult times, for families, societies, countries, and churches are badly affected by the current economic situation that is affecting the whole world. But just as Jesus was not abandoned by his Father in his hour of need, we, too, will not be abandoned in this time of difficulty. 

For God knows what we are passing through now and in due time he will give us victory and we will join the elders in our first reading today to say: how great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways, King of all ages, for Jesus says that our endurance will win us our lives.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle with the ugly situation in our world today, grant us the courage and strength to persevere in witnessing the Gospel, especially in this time of persecution and difficulties. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.