Rejoicing in the Midst of Suffering

Homily for Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Several times in the Acts of the Apostles, we are told that the apostles found joy in the fact that they had been mistreated by the Pharisees and elders of Jerusalem. In his Letter to the Colossians, St. Paul tells us that he rejoices in his afflictions. Yet I am sure that the words of today’s Gospel text struck fear in the hearts of the apostles as Jesus told them that “They will seize and persecute you…” It would only be natural to say that we don’t want any part of persecution. Even the Gospel of St. Matthew tells us the same thing in different words: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.” The Gospels have been clear; following Jesus will call upon us to suffer.

In many parts of the world today, this kind of persecution still goes on. In our circumstances, it is more probable that we will simply be ignored if we preach the Gospel. Though it is not physically painful to be ignored, it is difficult nonetheless.

The reading from the Book of Revelation tells us of those who have endured persecution. As St. Matthew wrote, they have indeed inherited the Kingdom of God. The image that the sacred writer uses is that of a sea of glass. This simply means that the sea, which the children of Israel regarded as the seat of chaos and disorder, is perfectly calm and can no longer bring forth the great sea monsters who are the cause of chaos and disorder. They have defeated the beast which scholars have identified as the emperor of Rome. Jesus’ words have come true, and they sing the song of Moses after their ancestors had walked dry shod through the Red Sea.

Suffering will be a part of every human life. Most of us have lived long enough to realize the truth of this statement.  All that remains is the fulfillment of the promises made by Jesus for those who stand steadfast in the face of suffering.