My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
“He who endures to the end will be saved.” Today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 10:17-22) seems to be a little out of place. We just celebrated the glorious birth of Christ and were told of the great joy and hope which was given to the world by God. Yet, in today’s reading we hear that there will be consequences if we follow Christ. We hear if we follow Christ, others will hate us and others will make fun of us. It even says that some of us will be put to death if we follow Christ. This does not sound like the good news we have been hearing for the past couple of days. However, Christ became flesh to save us from our sins and free us from death. He came to give us new life in the Kingdom of God. We learn that the way to heaven is through the cross. If we want to live in the glory of God, then we must be willing to take up the cross no matter what the consequences. Jesus tells us, “When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” We should not fear being committed to God; we should not be afraid to tell our friends that we are Christian Catholics; and we should not be afraid to standup for the teachings of Christ because “he who endures to the end will be saved.” Following Christ is like running a marathon. The training and practice is grueling and our body continually tells us to quit, but persistence wins. We win the marathon not by crossing the line first but simply by crossing the line. In today’s Gospel reading, Christ is telling us that we may even be hated by our brothers and sisters, but if you are persistent, in the end you will be given the Kingdom of God.
A Simple Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am scared to carry my cross.
Strengthen my will so I can withstand the punishment
For it is through you that I find the Kingdom of God.
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
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