Gospel: Matthew 10:17-20
Jesus said to his Apostles: “Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”
“Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will raise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for OL – Betty O’Shea RIP.
Reflection:
Today’s feast commemorates the many English men and women from all walks of life who were martyred for the Catholic Faith during the Reformation (1535-1680). The first to have offered their lives were three Carthusian monks. Of these martyrs, 284 have been canonized or beatified, however the exact number of those who died or suffered persecution during that period cannot now be reckoned.
In our Gospel today, Jesus warns His followers to look out for those who will persecute them, including one’s family. Despite the hardships that would accompany Christians then and now, Jesus tells us not to worry “about how to speak or what to say… the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.” Indeed, our ministry in Church or vocation is not our own. It is God’s. And if it is His, He will use us to reveal His glory. The English Martyrs took this to heart and so, in the face of persecution, they stood firm to the end.
- How do you keep yourself constant in faith?
- How can you show God’s glory in your ministry or vocation?
- How does your faith respond to persecution and other issues challenging the Church today?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of The English Martyrs, grant us the grace to remain faithful to You until the end. Amen.
(Pietro)
