“When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, your salvation is near.” (Lk 21:28)

“When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, your salvation is near.” (Lk 21:28)

Today’s Passage: Lk 21:20-28  

Meditation: When you are confident enough, honest, authentic, and courageous, you stand upright and hold your head high; the opposite happens when you lack honesty, courage, and confidence. In today’s meditation verse Jesus invites or rather challenges you and me to stand erect and raise our heads before persecution. Why does Jesus make this invitation? Am I bold enough to respond to this invitation today?

It is quite sure that many of us were and are bold enough in front of some of our misfortunes and tribulations. There are also other similar occasions in our lives. Though we were not financially sound enough in matters of money we looked for the financial support from elsewhere. Even now, regarding the studies, or professional courses, or marriages of our children, we may not be anxious for either we have kept something for that or we have some sources in mind for that.

Even when you were weak, how could you be bold enough to take up all these? It is naturally because you have confidence either in you or in your sources. Then, if I am afraid of the persecutions or sufferings for the sake of Jesus, it proves itself that I am not trusting in his promises. Fear shows the absence of love; love for Jesus. Are we concerned more about the loss or the gain through these sufferings?

Jesus says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell” (Mt 10:28) and gives us the courage and promise too. “Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, and I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Is 41:10). It is the confidence in God’s promise that made martyrs stand erect before persecutors, and it is the same that makes me confident too.

             

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Help each one of us to have real faith in you and your promises. Let us also be then able to proclaim that we walk not by our eyes but by our faith. We thank you for all martyrs and saints who have left us good model in faith life, and we pray for those who face right now persecutions in different parts of the world, and help us to renew and strengthen our faith in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Thursday…