Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Lk 21:12-19
Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world in 2015. The persecutions in the 20th and 21st centuries blow away the persecution of Christians in the early Church. The number of Christians fleeing Iraq is astounding. For the first time in its history there may be places in Iraq where Christianity is exterminated. Places where Christians have lived since its beginning. North Korea tops the list for the thirteenth year in a row as the place where Christians are persecuted the worst. Many of them exist only in concentrations camps and are killed systematically through gas chambers. Some reports show 1,500 in 2014 and 2,500 in 2015. The entire Middle East Christians are under persecution due to extremist Islamic groups like ISIS. Today’s gospel is true, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” Jesus Christ will take care of every persecuted Christian. Everyone should see them as great witnesses of the faith to Jesus Christ. May we stand up for our religious freedom in our country and pray for all those who are persecuted. ”By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Amen.
Today’s challenge: Pray for all religions that are being persecuted. Stand up for religious freedom in America.
Become a saint!
Christian YOLO
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