Complete Trust

Readings for Wednesday November 24, 2010

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs

First Reading: Revelation 15:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98
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.” (Lk 21:12-19)

Imagine one day at work, your boss comes to you and says "I want you to give a presentation to the board. And even though they will not want to hear this presentation, it is still very important for the company. Oh, and by the way, I don't want you to prepare for this presentation at all." How many of you would consider turning in your resignation, or consider making up an excuse as to why you cannot make the meeting that day? This is essentially that task that the disciples were given, only it was much bigger and they were informed that their lives were at stake. When brought before the kings and governors they were not to prepare a defense, only let the Lord work through them. The Lord also tells them that by persevering through this pain and hardship, they will not be losing their lives, but they will be gaining an eternal prize in heaven and securing their lives.

The disciples teach us today about having complete trust in Jesus. For after hearing this they did not walk away from their task, but we know that they went forward, forward with Christ, trusting in Him and following Him completely ... even until their deaths. I pray that each of us in our faith journey can learn to trust in Jesus like this.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Lord, increase our faith and hope so that we might have complete trust in you and in your ways. Lord help us to follow you no matter what, and to persevere with you through this life here on earth. Lord, we pray for all those searching for meaning in their lives, may they find it in you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.