The World Did Not Know Him: Understanding Christian Persecution

 

Yesterday I spent too much time looking at the train wreck that is the news.  I had to catch  my breath as I read one too many horrors.  I was also once again reminded that my freedom as a Roman Catholic in this country is washing away.  Not that this country has been too friendly to Catholics, but it was a nice reprieve.  Actually, all Christians are in great danger, at least those who hold to biblical teachings on human sexuality, of losing their freedoms as well.  There will come a day,  much sooner than any of us think, when we will have to make a choice to either stand with Christ or cave to the secular will.

 

As I prayed Vespers last night, Our Lord gave me a much needed reminder.  Sometimes I forget that the world did  not accept Him, so why should I expect those of us who follow Him to be accepted by the world?  Living in a country that had religious liberty for all, notice how I said “had”, we can forget that we were promised persecution.  What is  happening now is only a natural response by those who do not know, or who have denied that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  That He came to redeem us and save us from ourselves and He came to save us from sin and death.  That His call to love and serve is universal.  He is the much needed medicine for this sick world.  Here is the reading from Vespers last night:

 

 

As I watch the outright assault worldwide on Christians, I am reminded of a scene in The Return of the King.  Aragorn has led a small army to the gates of Mordor.  The gates open and evil in all its fury marches forward to swallow up the small battalion.  Aragorn rallies the troops and they run into battle.  A battle that seems pointless.  A battle they seem sure to lose.  But, this moment is a great reminder that somethings are in fact worth dying for.  It is better to die than to live and choose evil.  In the end, Frodo quite accidentally, destroys the Ring and Middle Earth is saved.  We must daily remind ourselves in the face of great ignorance, hatred, and evil, that Christ has won.  There is nothing that can change that fact.

 

If, like me, you struggle with moments of despair in the face of the world, remember that the world hated Christ first.  Humanity put Christ on a Cross, drove nails into His body, and killed Him.  As hard as it is for me to even imagine at this point in my spiritual journey, what makes me think that I can avoid such a fate?  Not all are called to martyrdom, but many are in fact being called worldwide to die for their Faith.  My family and I must pray for the strength to stand firm when we are called to defend the Faith, in whatever capacity Christ calls us.  No matter what, the tidal wave is coming, but there is always HOPE.