Endure all Sufferings with Jesus

Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

July 9, 2021

Readings for the Day 

    First Reading: Gn 46:1-7, 28-30
    Responsorial Psalm:  Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
    Gospel: Mt 10:16-23

Word Count: 314

Reading Speed:
    Slow (100 wpm):  3.1 minutes
    Average (130) wpm): 2.4 minutes
    Fast (160 wpm): 2 minutes

When Jesus summons, He empowers. Our Gospel reading today is a continuation of Chapter 10 of Matthew’s Gospel which started with Jesus summoning his twelve disciples, last Wednesday, then yesterday, the commissioning of the twelve where Jesus empowered them to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven with accompanying wonders like curing the sick and driving out demons.  This empowerment does not only involve power and authority but also courage and endurance.

The disciples needed this kind of empowerment as Jesus warned them of the coming persecutions by governors and kings, by pagans and even by their own families.  He assured them of the assistance of the Spirit of the Father so that they would stand tall and not fall in the face of their persecutors.  They only had to endure all these and not let persecutions and sufferings stop them from continuing their mission.  He told them “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.”

As it happened to the apostles and to many Christians throughout the ages, persecutions are still happening these days to some of our brothers and sisters who are made to suffer because of their faith in God. But to most of us, this may take the form of trials and difficulties, pain and suffering which have always been and will always be a part of life, an integral part of Christian life. And like the persecuted apostles and many Christians, we too can suffer for and with Jesus in our daily hardships,  we too are empowered with courage and endurance, with graces and blessings, enabling us to continue our mission until He comes again.  Whoever endures to the end will be saved.  When Jesus summons, He empowers.

Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS

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