Wednesday – 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke 21:12-19

It Ain’t Easy Being Christian

Mass before Rock of Agony, Gethsemane

Ever tried out for a basketball team?  Or that part in the play?  Or that entrance exam for nursing or law school?  Or that interview for your dream job?  In the end, the tryout or the exam was nothing!  It was all the time and effort, all the prep work, the sweat and the practice you put in!  It was not, in any way, easy!  And then there were the nay-sayers.  All those people who thought you would fail and should give up even trying.  He’ll never make it!  Do you think he will go through with it?  You’ll never amount to anything!  You’re wasting your time!  Get a real job; make some real money!  And yet you persevered!

Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel that the disciples (us) will face much worse because of their faith!  He reminds us all that, to be true believers, it takes constant time and effort.  It’s not a given that we have the faith today and now we can relax.  No, faith means we are called to live it out every single day. 

And it won’t be easy.  We will face opposition, even persecution for following a faith that is so at odds with the world today.  People will look at us and shake their heads.  They will find ways to make us suffer and question our beliefs. We could be persecuted physically and emotionally for loving our neighbor, for even believing in Christ. 

And we will be called at times to give witness – to express our faith in words and in our actions. And He reminds us once again – do not worry! Do not be afraid; persevere in your faith. Don’t be concerned about what you will say.  God is with you.  I am with you.  The Spirit is within you and He will give you the wisdom to proclaim your faith and the courage to persevere.

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