Reflection for Wednesday, November 24, 2010: 34th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Whitney, Tamora
Issue Date
2010-11-24
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
Today's gospel is hard to get a handle on. Jesus is actually talking directly to his disciples here, but in the bigger picture, aren't we all disciples? And he tells them that things will be hard for them. They will be ridiculed, discriminated against, arrested, tortured, perhaps put to death - all because of their connection to Jesus or for preaching his word. This was the plight of the whole early church. It was really hard and dangerous to be a Christian then. Jesus tells them that they might even be betrayed by their own families. This is harsh. This is hard. This is a lot of sacrifice. It's a lot for Jesus to ask, but he's not asking for more than he's willing to give. He was betrayed by his friend. He was ridiculed, discriminated against, arrested, tortured and put to death for us.||But even as Jesus is telling his disciples about the dangers that await them, he switches gears. He tells them not to worry. He says he will put words in their mouths that their captors cannot refute. He says, "Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." But here again, we need to look at the bigger picture. He is not saying that their lives here on earth will be saved. He just got done saying, "they will put some of you to death." And that was true. How can both things be true? How can they die, and yet not be destroyed? How can they die, and yet secure their lives? The price they paid for their faith was a heavy one - here on earth. Here they were arrested, and the words Jesus gave them that could not be refuted did not save them from torture or being put to death. The words they had were of their true faith, and by preaching the true word of the Lord they were securing their place in heaven, regardless of what happened to them on earth.|In our place and time it's not that physically dangerous to be Christian, but this is still a lesson worth listening to. Are we ready to make a sacrifice? We need to use the words the Lord puts in our mouths to secure our place in heaven, whatever happens on earth.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 505