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| He who destroys both body and soul in Gehenna |
JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!
The Marawi incident is truly an
eye opener. It made us realize that terrorism is real and not only does it
happen in distant Europe and in the Middle East. It also happens to us. It also
opens our eyes to the depth of our own Christianity. The news of how Christians
escaped death by wearing Muslim apparel and by memorizing Arabic verses has
gone viral. And their creativeness was justified. They had to do it in order to
survive.
However, the Word of God today
reminds us: “Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy
the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna.” The
readings today are timely inasmuch as we are living in a time when Christian
witnessing will be demanded of us. Contrary to the belief that martyrdom is a thing
of the past, we are actually living in a time of martyrs. Not only are we
required to live out our faith in Jesus. The possibility of dying for him is
very much real. Christians are made hostages and killed. Christian women are
sold, indoctrinated, and then sent as suicide bombers. Churches are desecrated
and burned. These are repeatedly reported every day. The threat of terrorism is
real. The prophet Jeremiah speaks well on our behalf: “Terror on every side! Denounce!
Let us denounce him!” Pope John Paul II wrote: “The Church has once again
become a Church of martyrs. The persecution of believers – priests, religious,
and laity – has caused a great sowing of martyrdom in different parts of the
world…In our own century, the martyrs have returned, many of them nameless,
‘unknown soldiers’ as it were of God’s cause.” (Tertio Millenio Adveniente,
37.)
And yet, Jesus strengthens us for
times like this. He reminds us of the limitation of what the enemies can do:
they can deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul. Our fear of God
must be greater than our fear of men because God can destroy both body and soul
in hell. The Word of God assures us that we are not alone: “The Lord is with
me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting unforgettable
confusion.” The true God whom we serve loves us: “Every hair of your head has
been counted; so do not be afraid of anything. You are worth more than an
entire flock of sparrows.” His love will sustain us through persecution and
suffering.
Therefore, let us not allow
terrorism to intimidate us. As we have said in the past, the zealous
proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus is our response to terror. “What I tell you
in darkness, speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the
housetops.” God is more powerful than terrorists. If we entrust ourselves to
him, he will not allow us to fall. Instead, he will send us the Spirit of Truth
who will teach us what to say in the face of our persecutors. His Holy Spirit
will sustain us and help us give witness to Jesus. Knowing that we are loved,
let us not be afraid to give witness to him. Even when faced with the threat of
death, let us not hesitate to say, “I am a Christian!” Jesus says: “Whoever
acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
O Mary conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee!
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