Fourth Friday of Lent

He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the LORD. To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father.

We are surrounded by worldly people who see true faith, hope, and love as a threat to their ways of life. They see us in this life because like Jesus Christ, we are signs of contradiction to the world. We shine a light into the dark places of sin and call it what it is. We proclaim the Good News and evangelize those around us through our thoughts, words, and works. Worldly people see the followers of Christ as people to persecute, condemn, and mock. Many of them do this out of ignorance, but some out of malice. However, no matter their reasons for attacking us, we must love them and thereby show them the blessings that come from being just and that there is a Heavenly Father who loves them enough to forgive them.

How can we become more perfect children of God? How can our lives show others that there is a different way to live? Are we willing to suffer persecution in order to live the Christ-like life?

O Lord, bless us as we stand in contradiction to the world.

Amen.