Gospel Lk 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. "Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."

Reflection:

The Son of Man has the ultimate authority over us. Jesus has been placed above all creation and one day we will face him and answer to him for our thoughts, words and actions.

Do you get a little nervous thinking of how you could deny the Son of Man before others? It doesn’t have to be a blatant refusal of Jesus as Lord. Jesus can be denied by simply missing an opportunity to defend our Lord in conversation. For many, it is easier to remain quiet so as to not offend others, rather than to speak up for justice. We have to decide if it is more important to keep our relationships in peace or is it more important to acknowledge God and his truth? There are many saints that followed Jesus, choosing to speak up and consequently lost their lives. Only the Spirit of God could give them the courage and wisdom to follow Jesus at difficult times. The Holy Spirit led the way for them to enter the Kingdom of God and the heavenly courts.

Our merciful God is love and will always forgive a contrite heart. The Spirit of love, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us and gives us what we need to know or say at the right time. Stand up for Jesus, love the people God places in your path, and he will stand with you before God the Father.