33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mal 3:19-20
2 Ths 3:7-12
Lk 21:5-19
“Your endurance will win you your lives.”
I once heard a preacher share that anyone who says that the life of a Christian is easy should consider walking in the shoes of people who continue to come to church, in spite of the struggles they face at home. I believe the readings of today speak to those of us who continue to struggle to be persecuted for our beliefs. The ways of the world are indeed a difficult one, as it causes us to have to be a witness for Christ in the modern world.
Persecution does not need to take the form of the end of life and limb. For those of us who operate in an office setup, sometimes dealing with the demands of the people around us or even the behaviours such as gossip and backstabbing is, in itself, a test of our patience and Christian charity. We also need to understand the workings of the environment and sometimes have to decide whether we should pursue a matter or not. Yet, the Gospel reminds us today that this need not be the case because we need to take a principled stand. It does not help when we have to bend over backwards just to please people. The call of the Christian is to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly through word and deed.
It is true that sometimes doing such actions can lead to political suicide or make fall out of favour; yet Jesus reminds us that it is bearing with the attacks which come our way that will allow us to win our lives. Not the lives of this world, but instead our eternal life. It may seem that the eternal life is an abstract concept; but, if we are called to an eternal happiness with God, the suffering associated with the persecution in this world will surely be fleeting and passing. May we continue to stand up for our Faith regardless of the gossip which comes our way.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: Jesus, let us preach the Gospel boldly and without fear.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who bear the Cross of Christ patiently.
OXYGEN 
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