A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21: 12-19
Jesus said to the crowd: "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 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."
REFLECTION: "By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
The best example of perseverance I can think of is Jesus Christ on the cross. He abandoned Himself to His Father's will and with trust made the journey to Jerusalem. Our salvation depends on the Cross and therefore upon the virtue of perseverance. The Holy Spirit will give us all that is needed to persevere in our faith --the wisdom, the protection, the courage and the graces to remain faithful, fervent and patient when we face persecution for the sake of God.
"By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
