Saturday July 15, 2017
Those who declare themselves to be disciples of Christ should expect to have a life like that of Christ. If Christ was falsely accused, they too would face false accusations. If Christ was persecuted, they too would be persecuted. But if Christ was raised to life, so too would they be. Christ’s sufferings as well as glory would be their inheritance. They must be delighted that they have become like their Master.
This is evident in the life of the apostles. According to tradition, all the apostles were persecuted, and every one of them, except John, suffered a violent death. All of them walked fearlessly into death, singing hymns and praising God, for they had no fear of those who could only harm the body and not the soul. They knew very well that every hair of their head and drop of their blood were counted, and that their souls were safe in the hands of their Lord (Wis. 3:1). Let us pray for such fearlessness in the face of tribulations in our proclamation of the Gospel.
