Wednesday of Week 34 – Apoc 15:1-4; Ps 97:1-3,7-9; Luke 21:12-19

. . . that will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Giving a witness to the faith doesn’t always have to be something difficult. If we are in a friendly environment, among loved ones, confessing Jesus Christ, feeling safe, we can profess our faith without fear. However, Jesus warns us about those closest to us, that it is from them that we can experience misunderstanding, including betrayal, the price of which may also be the loss of life.

Is persecution necessary for a confession of faith to have any meaning? Jesus Himself shows us through His suffering and death what great value and how much fruit a courageous testimony at the cost of ordeal can bring. Standing on the side of Jesus despite everything, even if we risk abandonment, isolation, misunderstanding, and even death? He promises that He will take care of us. Therefore it is good to nurse in ourselves love for Him, because it is precisely from this love that flows the strength of our faith.

Holy Spirit, I ask of You the gift of courage for persecuted Christians. Strengthen all who proclaim Your truth. Grant me the faith and courage so as not to be afraid to witness to the resurrection of Christ.