"Men will seize you and persecute you...", "You will be hated however not a hair on our head will be lost..."
In today's gospel, we are called to mind about the challenge we face as Christ's defenders and warriors of the faith.
Challenge often comes when there are conflicting views between the world's wordly pespective and the church's dogmatic teachings. For example, the issue of morality. The world sees this issue very lightly and therefore resulting in the proliferation of pre-marital sex, pornography, homosexuality and other immoral acts. We as members of society are too faced with such vices, however, we are also reminded that we are children of God, are we going to succumb to such worldy tempataions, becoming followers of this world trend or are we going to be defenders of the faith?
Luke reminds us that we would face such persecution, which will we choose? Though persecution may not come in the form of military attacks, it may come as snide comments made by people around us, sometimes our closest friends, which would be a form of emotional hurt. Sometimes, its in the form of being excluded, others, feeling out of place, or even we ourselves thinking we are wierd. Contradiction and persecution can come even within us. This would be the devil's trick of bringing us away from the grace of God as it pleases him the most.
Christ reminds us that we would face contradiction, but if we do it for his glory, the kingdom of heaven would be ours. Let us hence reflect on the choices we make in life. In times where our choices do not fit into the majority, and we feel ostracised or excluded, let us remember that we are included in a bigger kingdom- the Kingdom of Heaven.
We need not fear being harmed because of our christian stand as God promised in scripture-- Not a hair on your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives. In this case, I will view it as eternal life.
Let us take a moment to think and reflect on our Christian call and allow Christ to give us strength to resist such temptations and stay close to him. Let us pray in faith that NOT A HAIR ON YOUR HEAD WILL BE LOST!
Amen.
In today's gospel, we are called to mind about the challenge we face as Christ's defenders and warriors of the faith.
Challenge often comes when there are conflicting views between the world's wordly pespective and the church's dogmatic teachings. For example, the issue of morality. The world sees this issue very lightly and therefore resulting in the proliferation of pre-marital sex, pornography, homosexuality and other immoral acts. We as members of society are too faced with such vices, however, we are also reminded that we are children of God, are we going to succumb to such worldy tempataions, becoming followers of this world trend or are we going to be defenders of the faith?
Luke reminds us that we would face such persecution, which will we choose? Though persecution may not come in the form of military attacks, it may come as snide comments made by people around us, sometimes our closest friends, which would be a form of emotional hurt. Sometimes, its in the form of being excluded, others, feeling out of place, or even we ourselves thinking we are wierd. Contradiction and persecution can come even within us. This would be the devil's trick of bringing us away from the grace of God as it pleases him the most.
Christ reminds us that we would face contradiction, but if we do it for his glory, the kingdom of heaven would be ours. Let us hence reflect on the choices we make in life. In times where our choices do not fit into the majority, and we feel ostracised or excluded, let us remember that we are included in a bigger kingdom- the Kingdom of Heaven.
We need not fear being harmed because of our christian stand as God promised in scripture-- Not a hair on your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives. In this case, I will view it as eternal life.
Let us take a moment to think and reflect on our Christian call and allow Christ to give us strength to resist such temptations and stay close to him. Let us pray in faith that NOT A HAIR ON YOUR HEAD WILL BE LOST!
Amen.
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