Topic:
BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PEOPLE HATE YOU. YOUR
REWARD WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN.
STORY
Frank (Franz Jagerstatter) an Austrian farmer, a
devout husband and father and a devoted Catholic was executed on August 9, 1943
for refusing to serve in Hitler's army. His family, friends, pastor and even
his bishop tried to change his mind. But Frank was convinced that the Nazi
cause was evil and he could not join as it would endanger his soul. Eventually
he was recognised as one of the most courageous and inspiring Christian witness
of our time. He was beautified in 2007. He understood well the words of Jesus,
"Blessed are you when people hate you...on account of the Son of Man.
Behold your reward will be great in heaven."
GOSPEL,
LUKE 6:17, 20-26
THE SUFFERING CHURCH.
Jesus tells us that there will be times when his
followers will be hated, insulted and considered evil because of him. There
will be suffering for his followers.
THE FUTURE REWARD.
Jesus tells us to rejoice and be joyful for our
reward will be great in heaven.
APPLICATION
TO LIFE
THE
SUFFERING CHUCH TODAY.
i) We are blessed as we do not suffer hardship or
persecution because of our faith. We are free to go to church any time we wish.
ii) There are many Churches in Asia which are being
persecuted. A recent report indicated that Indonesia, Pakistan, North Korea and
China are among countries where this is taking place in Asia.
HELP
THE SUFFERING CHURCHES.
i) We thank God for giving us freedom of religion.
We are free to believe in any religion. Being Catholics, we can choose the
church we wish to attend, at any time and as often as we wish. This is truly a
great blessing.
ii) Being aware of the difficulties of Churches in
other countries, we pray for an improvement in the religious situation. We try
to help when there is a request for financial support for the needy in those
countries under persecution.
CONCLUSION
Frank a devout Catholic was executed for refusing
to join the German army as he thought this was basically evil despite his
family and others who tried to change his mind. He was eventually recognised as
a very courageous person and was beautified in 2007. Jesus told us the Church
would be persecuted but the reward would be heaven. We thank God for giving us
religious freedom and pray for the Churches that are being persecuted.
