Persecutors

Today’s Gospel Text:  And coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matt 13:54-58

Reflection: If you thought that it is only through harming people or doing evil to others that we could be persecuted, rejected or beaten then you are wrong.

Who can describe the evil of envy, jealousy, lustfulness and ambitiousness and what it can do?

Are these sinful passions not Satan’s greatest weapon, by using simple men and women as his instrument, to destroy the work of God?

The mere good deeds and actions by the followers of Christ could bring about envy and jealousy just as the mere expression of talents and gifts could do in a secular world.

What is it that leads people to such dimensions of sinful acts of envy, jealousy and then to be instruments of persecution; seeking to destroy the work of God in their midst?

Deep within the human heart is also a desire at work; to achieve, based on over ambition, sinful passions, lusts and greed.

St. Paul referring to such greed also asserts that it amounts to idolatry or the service of idols (Col. 3:5)

In other words, you need not be a pagan to be an idol worshiper. 

Thus God has very little place in the lives of these individuals; likewise truth gives places to immorality and self centered thinking.

So too the other, as a human being and as creation of God, has no place in the mind set of the person.

Those who practice such things have their own logic on social justice and right: No wonder Jesus said of their sense of justice;

“Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”  John 16:2

Unless one truly and completely surrenders to God through our Savior Jesus Christ and takes the help of the graces he offers one can never be free:    

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. “ John 8:36

Prayer:  Lord, speak to my heart and convict me of my dishonesty and sinfulness, so that I may constantly repent and turn to you and be saved.

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