Wednesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Luke 21:12-19
“You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives”. The price of following Christ is persecution. But Jesus assures us that we can win the persecution by two attitudes. The first is by trusting in Him to overcome all the fears. The second is by the endurance or trusting Him until the end. Jesus assures His disciples that despite being hated, arrested, or even persecuted for His name, they should not be afraid. He promises to provide wisdom and guidance, saying, “I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” This calls us to rely on Christ’s strength rather than our own, trusting His presence even in the darkest times. Endurance is not just passive suffering but active faithfulness. Jesus’ statement, “By your endurance you will gain your lives,” underscores the importance of steadfastness in faith. This endurance is rooted in the belief that God is in control and that, ultimately, nothing—not even the trials we face—can separate us from His love. This passage reminds us that while following Christ comes with its costs, His promises far outweigh the struggles. He reassures us that not a single detail of our lives escapes His care: “Not a hair of your head will perish.” Trust and endurance become our response, knowing that victory is assured through Him. It is a call to hold fast to faith, to embrace the cross with courage, and to find peace in His unfailing providence. Let’s reflect: In moments of trial or rejection for living out my faith, how do I cultivate trust in Christ and actively endure with faithfulness, knowing that His promises are greater than my struggles?
Don Giorgio