John 11:45-56
As related in the gospel today, Christ was a "marked man" after the decision of Caiaphas, the high priest. "From that day on they planned to kill him."
(John 11:53)
Most of us cannot relate to living under the threat of being killed for one's religious beliefs and yet for thousands, if not millions, today in our world this is an everyday reality. One has only to listen to the daily news to hear about the persecution and imprisonment of people often by persons from their own culture. Clerical leaders, nuns, and the laity are all included. Places of worship are also being destroyed. It is easy to isolate ourselves psychologically from this hard reality as we feel powerless and it is far away from us.
Soon, we will be focusing on the liturgies of Holy Week. Let us recall that when Christ said "It is finished" as He was giving up His Spirit on the Cross, His mission was handed over to us. We are to continue His message and works until the end of time. That so many continue to be persecuted and arrested is only one of many indicators that there is much more to be done. As we recite the Our Father and say "Thy kingdom come," let it serve as a reminder to each of us that we have work to do, building up this kingdom.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia