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April 1, 2022Today the Scriptures reveal a paradox that just and good people in society and the church can be persecuted for doing good. They are perceived as a threat by those who don’t want to change. We read, ‘Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us.’ In the Gospel the people say of Jesus, ‘Is this not the one they want to kill? They say this because he healed a man on the sabbath and violated strict Jewish law. Jesus puts the dignity of the human person over the Law.
The Church’s teaching about the sanctity of life “from the womb to the tomb” challenges us to be consistent. Yet some people strongly opposed to abortion may support capital punishment. And others who are strong opponent of the death penalty may be in favor of abortion without restriction. It takes courage to speak up about both rights and doing so may cost you a friend, some embarrassment and loss of popularity. Giving up chocolate or alcohol won’t cost you your reputation or bring persecution but standing up for life will. Praying more is good, but if there is no social action for peace and justice accompanying it you won’t change the world. If we do not do something, act on our Gospel values, we will not be persecuted, nor will the world be changed this Lent because of what we have done. To be in the company of Jesus who died rather than go with the flow, we must be willing to be persecuted because the way we live and speak challenges the status quo.