1 Kings 17:1-6
Psalm 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matthew 5:10-12)
The last of the Beatitudes is the most detailed. Perhaps that's because it's very difficult to be persecuted. It's frightening and painful! To persevere under persecution takes special grace from God, and Jesus gives it in generous measure. He promises that "your reward will be great in heaven." He even says, "Rejoice and be glad" to those who are undergoing persecution for His sake.
Are you being persecuted? Then rejoice! Your reward is going to be great in heaven! Are you not being persecuted? Then pray for our brothers and sisters who are now being persecuted! They need our prayers and we mustn't forget them. Sometimes feeling forgotten by other believers is worse than the persecution itself.
We are all one body in Christ. We must stand in solidarity with all Christians, especially those who are being persecuted.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
I lift up to You all of my brothers and sisters who are undergoing great trials for Your name's sake. I ask for Your mercy upon them and all of us who follow You. May our belief in You never waver, and may we stand united as one body, with You as our head. Amen.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
Bob Matthews
Dianne Matthews and family