November 27, 2024
Wednesday for di 34th Week for Ordinary Time
Reading dem for Today
Di Trial wey Jesus face, E dey public domain, from Wikimedia Commons
Listen for English
“Remember, make una no prepare wetin una go talk to defend unaself before di time reach, because na I Myself go give una wisdom to talk, wey all una enemies no go fit resist or prove wrong.” Luke 21:14–15
Dis talk dey inside today Gospel, where Jesus make am clear say dem go persecute His followers. Dem go arrest many of dem, put dem for prison, hate dem and even kill dem. For some, na even their own family go do dis things to dem. But Jesus tell dem dis to prepare dem and make dem know say dis persecution go give dem chance to give testimony about Jesus. Di Gospel passage above explain how dem go do am.
First of all, to give “testimony” especially mean say dem go stand as witnesses for Christ. And one of di best ways to bear dis kind witness na through di different forms of martyrdom. To be martyr na to be witness. And people wey suffer persecution because of Christ, then respond to di persecution according to di wisdom and inspiration wey Jesus give dem, na true martyrs. E good make we note say if dem persecute person and di person respond with anger or use violence pay dem back according to im own will wey no follow sense, dat person no be martyr. E just turn to di same kind thing wey dem do am. E become person wey full of anger and bitterness. For person to be martyr, dem must treat am unjustly, and e must respond to dat bad treatment according to God will. Na why, even though no be God dey ever start persecution, e still give Christian chance to become more deeply like Christ by responding as Christ direct.
Jesus talk say, to respond to persecution, make we no prepare how we go defend ourselves before di time reach. One reason be say strong temptation dey come when another person persecute us. E easy to understand say when person face any kind persecution, anger go rise for im heart and e go face temptation to fight back in way wey no show love and wey go only make di trouble worse. To respond to persecution according to God will, we need to pay close attention to how di Holy Spirit dey move us, get deep humility, and show love wey no dey shake towards di person wey dey persecute us. Na why Jesus promise say E go dey with you for dis kind situations, and E go give you “wisdom to talk, wey all una enemies no go fit resist or prove wrong.” See di kind grace! But dis grace dey available only to people wey rely completely on Christ, no be on their own strong desires and feelings wey no dey in order.
Today, think deeply about dis promise from Jesus. Some people go face small persecution for different times for their life. But others go face serious persecution in different ways, even from their family. Think about any way wey another person don treat you unjustly, then think about how you respond. You fit forgive immediately? You fit put your anger, di hurt to your pride and your desire to revenge aside? You fit keep your eyes on Christ and rejoice say dem don find you worthy to share for di mockery, persecution and suffering wey Jesus endure? Pray make you always dey open to di grace of dis promise from Jesus, so dat you go always respond to everybody according to God wisdom.
My Lord wey dem persecute, even though You dey perfect in every way, You endure plenty cruelty for Your life for dis earth. Di injustice wey You endure pass wetin we fit understand. But di way You respond to dat persecution dey perfect. You turn all di bad treatment to grace and mercy, wey You offer especially for di people wey treat You badly. Give me di grace wey I need to follow Your perfect example of how to respond, and to always rely on Your wisdom and guidance alone. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
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