The Catholic Sun :: Phoenix Diocesan Newspaper

Those who love Christ in the 21st century are not the first of His followers to face opposition, misunderstanding and even persecution. In fact, these struggles have occurred in every century. Jesus told His own that this would be the case (Lk 21:12): “…they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.”

The eighth Beatitude which calls for Christians to accept persecution for their faith is not shocking for those who are familiar with the teachings of Jesus. Of course, it may come as a shock when we personally encounter persecution and have to endure it patiently for love of Him. Nonetheless Christ’s frequent teaching about the need for endurance shows that He requires it as a testament of our fidelity to Him. For example, He proclaims the eighth beatitude (Mt 5:10-12), “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”; and then adds, “Blessed are you, when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The martyrs’ crown

The Church has praised God for the martyrs in every age who have witnessed to the truth of Christ. The martyrs, in turn, have given thanks for the privilege of bearing the ultimate witness to the Lord. At the beginning of the third century, the Christian apologist Tertullian gave us the famous line, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” These words have proven true, century after century. Think, for example, of the martyrs of Japan. In an account of their martyrdom, we are told that Paul Miki “gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing.” He called it “the supreme moment of my life.”

One of the North American martyrs, John de Brebeuf, wrote in his spiritual diary, “For two days now I have experienced a great desire to be a martyr and to endure all the torments the martyrs have suffered. Jesus, my Lord and Savior, what can I give you in return for all the favors you have first conferred on me?”

Does this not sound like persecution for righteousness’ sake is indeed a blessing? Notice, too, how similar it is to the response of the Apostles and disciples of the first century when they faced fierce opposition for Christ. After the Apostles were flogged for speaking in the name of Jesus and threatened if they did not stop (Acts 5:40f), “they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

For St. Paul, persecution seemed to be the thing for which he was most grateful (2 Cor 11:23ff), “Five times at the hands of the Jews I received 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.”

It is not that persecutions in themselves are a blessing; the blessing comes in sharing them in union with Christ, out of love for Him. Such loving communion with the Lord, deepened by the hardships, is cause for rejoicing. As St. Paul writes (Col 1:24), “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body, which is the Church.”

From outside and from within

We must not think that the persecution always comes from beyond the community of faith. It comes both from outside and from within. This was true already in the Old Testament, where the Prophets frequently suffered at the hands of their own people.

Elijah, for example, was driven into exile because he successfully opposed the false prophets of his day (Cf. 1 Kings 18ff). The Prophet Jeremiah was thrown into the Miry Cistern because of angry rejection of the word of God that he proclaimed (Cf. Jer 38:6). Rejection of the true prophets of Israel was so common that St. Stephen would say (Acts 7:52), “Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?”

Why do faithful disciples of Christ continue today to face persecution? It is because Christ continues to be a “sign of contradiction” (Cf. Lk 2:34) and because some of His teaching remains highly unpopular. In fact, if you or I have never faced opposition because of Christ, perhaps we should examine ourselves. Are there not persons in our neighborhood, our city or state whose dignity is disregarded, whose right to life is ignored or even non-existent? Is marriage not under attack and is the innocence of our children not threatened? Are we willing to stand up for the Gospel of Life in the face of anger, prejudice, greed or fear? Are there any persons or tough issues we choose to ignore or remain silent about? Are we willing to take the risk of being unpopular for the sake of others? Remember Jesus’ words (Lk 6:26), “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

‘Be not afraid’

Jesus assures us that suffering persecution for the sake of righteousness is a blessing. It is a blessing He Himself experienced, and one that He promises to all His followers. It is also a blessing extolled by saints and apostles in every age. As St. Peter writes (I Pet 3:13-15), “Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.”

Whoever suffers for doing what is right already tastes the joy of the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not say that we must wait for some time in the future to be comforted, after the persecution is over. He says we will taste the joy of Christ’s presence now (Mt 5:11); “theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

This is why St. Teresa of Avila can urge us, “Always have courageous thoughts.” This is also why Pope John Paul II repeatedly would say, “Be not afraid.”