Acts 16:11-15
John 15:26-16:4
Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope, and love and to give you courage and perseverance when you meet adversities and challenges? In today’s gospel, Jesus warns his disciples about the challenges that could shake their faith but they are to remain steadfast. Jesus says to them, “indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you thinks he is doing a holy duty for God’.
We cannot talk about the history of the world without making reference to several growing hostility towards Christianity. Life for a Christian demands perseverance in faith. The cost of following Jesus demands sacrifices and the cost of bringing Christ to others requires greater sacrifices. If the message of Christ is not accepted by others then It could often lead to persecution and at times martyrdom. At such a point, fleeing from persecution and trying to avoid suffering is a mere illusion.
Christ shows us how to immerse our sufferings and pains into the hands of God through prayer asking for the Holy Spirit . Through the Holy Spirit, we can listen to God and do his will like Lydia who brought faith to her entire household. Through prayers, we can move mountains and fill the valleys. Through prayers, we also become like Christ. Let us seek courage and strength from the Holy Spirit so that we can remain true witness of the paschal mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
