By Ishongkun Kurbah –
Readings: 1Cor 4:1-5; Lk 5:33-39
“The day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast.” The bridegroom has been taken away; the question is, do we fast? When I read this part of the passage, I felt that it only makes sense when applied to the disciples of Jesus and to the early Christians.
When Jesus left this world and ascended to heaven, his disciples really had a hard time and had to run to save their lives as they were sought to be killed. The disciples faced threat, peril, persecution, and loss for the sake of Jesus, and because of their faith in him. They were not afraid and stood firm in their faith unshaken and carried out his mission and proclaimed him to everyone. Of course, the circumstances have changed over time, if we compare with that of the first Christians. After I entered the seminary, life has become much comfortable: I do not have to worry about food, clothing, etc. unlike when I was home.
Nevertheless, I sometimes ask myself: if I have to face extreme hardships, what will I do? There is a saying in Khasi society ‘unless the flesh is hurt, the pain is not understood.’ The question arises-when I face similar lifethreatening situations, will there be pain and hunger for Christ’s sake? For his message, what will be my stand? I conclude with this verse from the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”