How many of us have begun a project and given up before it was finished? Losing weight for example. We begin with enthusiasm and then as the initial desire begins to wear off, we find ourselves “cheating” a little here and there, and before long may give up all together.
Christmas is a beautiful moment. There is a feeling of celebration and love in the air, and we are touched that Jesus is given to the world. We would like this moment to last forever. It wasn’t too long after Jesus’ birth, however, that persecution set in. The evil Herod ordered the infants in Bethlehem to be slaughtered. Already the Evil One was out to destroy the gift God had given to the world. And so, Mary and Joseph had to pick up stakes and travel the rough road to Egypt.
Today, just two days after Christmas, we celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. We listen to the shocking story of Stephen being stoned to death. It stands out in contrast to the quiet, peaceful nativity scene.
Jesus had warned his disciples of the hardships they would face if they remained faithful to following him (Matthew 10:1-22).
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.”
As much as we want peace on earth and as much as we expect the world to embrace Jesus, there will always be a conflict between the forces of darkness and those of light. The world wants to have its own way and try to invent its own path to salvation. It abhors the thought of taking up a cross to follow Jesus. Thus, as the Church grows, as with Stephen, persecution begins to set in. And so, Jesus told his disciples to “beware of men,” for as the light of Christ shines more brightly and begins to spread, they will try to pull the followers of Jesus back into their darkness.
Imagining ourselves being persecuted is frightening, yet Jesus tells us not to worry about it.
“When they hand you over, do not worry about how your are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
There is not room for worry about the future in the Christian life. God will take care of us especially in dire moments.
“Brother will be handed over brother, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name.”
The hatred of Herod will rise up in all who refuse to accept Jesus, and Christians will follow the path of their Master.
“…but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
As the good feelings of Christmas wear off and the trials of life rise up again to meet us, our endurance is tested. Yet we are sustained by the joy of Jesus living within us and run eagerly the race set before us.
