Reflection for November 26 Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 21:12-19

Gospel: 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.

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Reflection:

Are we ready to be persecuted for our faith?

If we sincerely choose to follow Jesus, we will undoubtedly face moments of persecution, misunderstanding, and even the loss of friendships. Yet we do not need to fear any of these. Nothing we lose for the sake of Christ is ever a true loss, for He fills every empty space with His grace.

That is why we must be vigilant. We must not allow ourselves to betray Jesus for the passing comforts of this world. We must not surrender our faith for the sake of convenient friendships or self-serving interests. Our calling is to remain faithful—steadfastly, lovingly, and courageously—until the very end, no matter the sacrifices we encounter along the way.

What would it profit us if we gain the whole world, yet lose Jesus in our hearts? What good is fleeting happiness that only draws us into sin? What benefit is temporal power or riches when they can vanish at any moment?

And what would we gain from having influential friends if these friendships only lead us deeper into sinfulness—sinfulness that, to our own shame, we oftentimes welcome? Such alliances bring nothing but restlessness and distance us from the love of Christ. Should we allow ourselves to be deceived by these false securities—these bonds that quietly weaken our relationship with Jesus?

But the very moment we choose, with humility and conviction, to remain faithful to Jesus—despite temptations, pressure, or persecution—we begin to experience a peace that only He can give. A peace the world can neither offer nor take away.

And so we ask ourselves today: If Jesus is worth everything, what are we still holding on to that keeps us from giving Him our all? – Marino J. Dasmarinas