Thirty-Fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time

You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Not a hair on our heads will be destroyed if we persevere in our faith. We might lose our livelihoods, possessions, and our earthly lives, but if we are true to God, then we shall gain eternal life. We might be betrayed by our parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, but if we are good and faithful servants, then we shall become a part of a heavenly family. We might be hated, persecuted, and mocked, but if we remain true to our beliefs, then we shall be loved by Love itself.

Are we willing to persevere in our faith through the loss of all our worldly possessions?  Are we willing to persevere through betrayal? Are we willing to persevere through persecution?

O Lord, give us a spirit of perseverance.

Amen.