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December 10, 2022Why are Jesus and the prophets conflictive and suffer persecution? It is not because they look out for conflict; rather the justice and truth they preach are the source of conflict. Jesus is instructing his disciples not to fall into the trap of thinking that he is a nationalist and political Messiah. Jesus also must suffer persecution, even death, for the salvation and redemption of all. Jesus instructs the disciples not to be scandalized and accept commitment, pain, and martyrdom, following the example of John the Baptist, and his own example on the cross.
On the Gospel passage of today, Jesus reveals the conflictive aspect of his coming and his message, similar to the one of John the Baptist. Jesus is continuation and plenitude of the prophetic message of Elijah and the Baptist. Therefore, our apostolate will always have conflict and will be at times the source of misunderstandings. For that reason, we must ask Christ for the virtue of courage. This is not an easy virtue when we are dealing with hardships and temptations. However, courage is a virtue that is anchored in hope, the belief that the will of God will be accomplished, and goodness will prevail.
A poem by José Maria Rodriguez Olazola presents the struggle that accompanies discipleship (my translation):Peace without storms, passion without Passion,Let us ask Christ, our Shepherd, on this Advent season, to have courage and fulfill the will of God in our lives.
Incarnation without flesh, love without history, laughter without soul…. lies.
Love without anxiety, questioning without risk,
Faith without doubt, security without loopholes,
what has “always been this way” …more lies.
Nonetheless, your Word illumines our shadows,
dismantles our deceptions and awakens our hope.
