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GOSPEL

You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:

“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.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Great Opportunities.

Naturally, we do not like the idea of being persecuted. It can cause fear or concern about jeopardizing our honor. Being alone, ridiculed, perhaps even slandered can befall us.

But the Lord gives another interpretation that can only be understood from a perspective of faith: they are opportunities to bear witness. Few occasions are as powerful as those moments that initially seem like great failures but over time reveal themselves as the actions of the Spirit through the saints.

Applied to married life:

Laura: At this rate, we will end up being martyrs. For now, we are ridiculed by many, going completely against the current.

Juan: It certainly seems that way, Laura. But martyrdom is the shortest path to total union with Christ. If God wills it, we hope to embrace it as the gift that it is.

Laura: Yes. It is a heroic act that clearly cannot be achieved on our own.

Juan: That’s why the martyrs have sustained the Church from the beginning, starting with our Master who gave His life for His Church in obedience to the Father. For now, my plan is to initiate small “martyr-like” acts in our relationship, surrendering my honor in every opportunity that presents itself to me. I hope God helps me because, for me, it is impossible.

Laura: It seems like a good plan for this Advent. May the Lord help us.

Mother,

A sword pierced Your Heart, making You the Queen of the Universe. Thank you for your witness, dear Mother.