From the responsorial psalm: "Before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!"
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:12-19)
"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.”
Jesus speaks to the crowd about the cost of discipleship. In following him and because of his name, Jesus tells the crowd, "It will lead you to your giving testimony." The wisdom in speaking that Jesus himself gives us does not come in silence and in keeping quiet but in giving testimony to him and in persevering. Because of his name, betrayal and hatred from those closest to us and those with worldly power is a real possibility. In this instance, our defense and freedom as disciples of Christ will not be through intellectual readiness or intensive training but through his supernatural gift of wisdom. “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty!" Lead us to giving testimony to you.
God, help me remain faithful to you today and every day. I survey what lies before me today and hope for greatness in doing your will yet feel small in recognizing the limitations of my own powers. Give me the opportunity today to give testimony to Jesus Christ your Son and the wisdom to act according to your will. The path of discipleship leads toward the grasp of persecutors who silence and kill those who proclaim your great and wonderful works. Yet, your wisdom speaks through those who love you, and not a hair on their head will be destroyed. Keep me in your care, Lord; secure me for eternal life.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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