Daily Reflections ...

Pope Francis’ 2014 comments that ‘there are more witnesses, more martyrs in the Church today than there were in the first centuries’ has been supported by a recent statement (March 2023) from Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachuku, Vatican Observer to the United Nations, who said that ‘one in seven Christians today is persecuted.’ It is both confronting and difficult to comprehend that a rising tide of various forms of persecution against Christians has become widespread across the globe.

The demand of the daughter of Herodias is now being repeated in many countries where Christians are being killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Why is it that those who live and proclaim the Gospel face hatred and persecution in today’s world? The teachings of Jesus expose the lies, tyranny and wrongdoing of those who abuse their power and authority. Just as John the Baptist suffered martyrdom because he spoke out against Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife, Christians today are oppressed because they stand with the poor and those suffering injustice and dispossession.

The challenge for each of us is to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ in our daily lives, our families, our workplaces and wider society. Do we speak up for those who are oppressed when society condemns them, or do we remain silent and safe from what others might think or say? Do we stay committed to family prayer practices, even when there is resistance? Do we share our faith experiences with others, even if we are sometimes rebuffed or ridiculed?

+Lord Jesus, give us the courage to live the Gospel regardless of how our witness is received. Amen.

by Mike Humphrys