Drawing good out of evil ~ by Josephine Fernando

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 3:19-20a
Ps. 98:2-6, 7-8, 9
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19

The key word in today's sermon is Persecution. If you do not work, then you do not eat. This is what happened during St. Paul's time. However, we need to do the best we can. We need to be responsible. As in nature, we experience death (falling of leaves), setting in of winter and then once again, spring, life.

There is good and evil in the course of history. There have been successes and failures. However, God can draw good from evil. History has never been easy. It is never always success. The Pope speaks about peace. The world needs peace. The right will prevail. Though there are sufferings, pain... however, we need to endure.

Persecution will be a part and parcel of a Christian's life. In the gospel according to St. John (15:20), it is clearly said that they will persecute you, because they have persecuted me. Persecutions cannot be avoided if we want to be a follower of Christ.

It is further said in the beatitudes (Mt. 5:11-13) that,"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets." There are very many examples in the history of mankind who were persecuted. To name a few: Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr..

There are many forms of persecution, like people being burnt alive, killed, economic and social poverty, prejudice and mockery. However, Jesus was also not spared; neither were His apostles. His apostles were martyred for their faith. They did endure persecutions with faith, as they had their focus on eternity. They did truly believe in the Divinity and the Humanity of Jesus Christ. They banked on the Lord for everything. They DID see the light coming out from the end of the dark tunnel

Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. God can write on crooked lines. God can draw good out of evil. There is no excuse if we are to follow Christ. As the Cross identifies a Christian, we are asked to to carry our everyday Cross and follow the Lord. Thus, we are left with the question, are we prepared to meet the Lord, if we were to breathe in our last moments this very minute. Let us be assured that the Lord is our refuge and our hope.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.


~ Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by David Roberts (1796-1864)

~ Public domain art at Wikimedia Commons