Daily Gospel Reflection for November 26, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 21:12-19

This is a hard Gospel. It is written for martyrs. Are we all called to be martyrs? We are certainly all called to be prepared. First, Our Lord indicates what we might expect in the coming persecution, and it is similar for every age of humanity. Some believers will be seized and persecuted. We see this in the martyrs of Nazi Germany: Edith Stein, Maximilian Kolbe, and Franz Jagerstatter, to name three. There are martyrs from the 20th and 21st centuries from around the world. Most are unknown. We hope to meet them in heaven. What were they seized and persecuted for? Believing in Christ and living out His truths.

What is this preparation that Christ calls us to? Must we take courses in apologetics, join debating clubs, and practice verbally defending the faith? Perhaps become a canon lawyer? Hardly!

Our Lord tells us we are not to prepare our defense. He will give us the wisdom we need to render our enemies defenseless. He warns us even that some of our loved ones will hand us over to our enemies.

Trust and persevere. We are to trust Christ that if called to defend His teachings under persecution, we will be given what is needed. We are to persevere in trusting and believing in Christ’s promises. St. Thomas More was begged by his beloved daughter Margaret to sign Henry VIII’s Oath of Succession. He persevered against the pleading of a loved one and did not sign. He was brought to trial in 1535 and found guilty of treason. He was executed on July 6, 1535, and declared a martyr and canonized in 1935 by Pius XI.

Ponder:

We are certainly all called to be prepared. What is this preparation that Christ calls us to?

Pray:

Lord, help us to grow deeply in the grace of trust and perseverance. May we have confidence in Your promise to fill us with Your wisdom when we are called to give testimony in Your name.

Copyright 2025 Colleen Rooney

Colleen Rooney is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is the author of Celebrating Advent and Christmas with Children: Food Celebration with the Saints for Home and School. https://foodsandfestivitiesofthechristianyear.blogspot.com   https://www.celebratingcatholiclife.com/