Daily Gospel Reflection for November 28, 2018

Today's Gospel: Luke 21:12-19 Followers of Jesus have been persecuted since Jesus Himself walked the earth. We read all the time on the internet or see it on the news about bombings at churches in the Middle East. Heaven has added many martyrs to the Book of Life. In the Gospel today, Jesus says that His followers will be led before kings, will be persecuted, and will give testimony. The martyrs who have died testify to us, the world, and their persecutors of their fidelity to Jesus Christ. When it comes to our testimony, he says that we must not prepare it beforehand. Did the martyrs know what to say before their death? Probably not. But what they did say was a result of their spiritual life. Think of Bl. Miguel Pro who proclaimed "Viva Cristo Rey!" It shouldn’t be difficult for us to give our testimony, especially if we are living authentically Christian lives because the testimony comes from the depths of our heart, overflowing from the goodness of our lives. I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of so many, that when we allow Jesus to change our hearts, when we give Him our time and our very being, there is a peace and joy which we exude and which bears testimony for the Lord to all around us. When I see a religious sister clothed in the habit, the joy she has in her heart, the smile on her face, is contagious, bears witness to her relationship with Christ, and invites me to want that same joy. Will we ever have to give testimony before a king? Maybe, but probably not. Will we testify before our family, friends, and co-workers? Absolutely. Don’t prepare your words. Instead, live authentically, and that will speak for you.

Ponder:

Does the life I lead testify to the fact that I am a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings?

Pray:

Lord, I want to testify to the world of your power and goodness. Help me live authentically and give me the words to say when I speak of You to everyone I know.

Copyright 2018 Rev. Edward Looney Fr. Edward Looney is a Marian theologian and priest of the Diocese of Green Bay. He is the author of A Heart Like Mary's: 31 Daily Meditations (Ave Maria Press). Learn more about Fr. Edward at his website: edwardlooney.com Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required