Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Hos 14: 2-10; Mt 10: 16-23
The members of early Christian community had to undergo persecution, suffering and all kinds of insults from the Romans and others just because of their faith in Christ. They were being treated as rebels; they were blamed for the natural disasters and punished for refusing to follow the old teachings and for not worshipping the deities of the Romans. Their life was full of uncertainties.
However, the spirit of the Lord was generating enough strength in them to endure all the social and political pressures and accusations. As Jesus predicted and warned in the Gospel, they were exactly like sheep amidst the wolves, helpless physically to defend themselves.
Suffering has its redemptive result at the end. If I am faced with suffering my instinct is to fight back to overcome it, but if it is beyond my control then I must go through it with a strong belief in the higher good. An example of this is Christ himself on the cross.
Looking at my life today, I feel that I am in a comfort zone, less challenging than ever before. The oppositions come only when I am authentic in my Christian life. The Gospel is an invitation for me to live the values of Jesus truly and remain strong in times of pain and suffering.