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Ghanaian Catholic Community
At Christ The King Church
At Christ The King Church
Sunday Mass at 5PM
| 141 Marcy Place | Bronx, NY 10452 |Tel: 718 538 5546 |
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SUNDAY REFLECTIONS - November 11, 2007
First Reading: 2 Maccabees 7: 1-2; 9-14
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 3:5
Gospel: Luke 20:27; 34 -38
There is a saying that history does repeat itself. Here, in this first reading we can see history that will be
repeated time and again in the life of many Jews, Christians, and others. The story we read today is
substantially historical. This is what is called religious persecution. I hope we understand when what it
means? When we hate others and try in whatever way to discriminate against them or punish them in
whatever way because they don’t share our faith, it is religious persecution. So do not be surprised you are
in your own small ways practicing religious persecution. Sometimes the persecuted becomes the
persecutor. After the Jews (the Macabees brothers) were persecuted by King Antiochus, the king of Syria,
they would eventually turn to persecute others because of their faith.
As Christians we have the example of Christ, who was persecuted because of his beliefs. He was not
accepted because He preached a God who is a God of mercy, compassion and love; a God who loves the
poor, the weak and the sinner. He followed the Maccabees brothers by surrendering himself to the evil
forces that rule the hearts of the powerful. He offered his life as an example and for the salvation of the
World. Millions of Christians have followed His example, noble martyrs for the faith down through the
ages. There are still millions who are suffering slow martyrdom for the same faith today.
The English translation of the Greek word “martyr” is “witness”. Therefore, each of us, one way or the
other, is a martyr. When we witness to our faith and live according to what Christ teaches, we are living as
martyrs in our own way. Just as St. Paul would address the Christians of his time as “saints”, which means
“holy” or “holy ones”. We are martyrs by virtue of witnessing to Christ and his Church. May we really be
true martyrs for the Lord. Then will our salvation be assured.
First Reading: 2 Maccabees 7: 1-2; 9-14
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 3:5
Gospel: Luke 20:27; 34 -38
There is a saying that history does repeat itself. Here, in this first reading we can see history that will be
repeated time and again in the life of many Jews, Christians, and others. The story we read today is
substantially historical. This is what is called religious persecution. I hope we understand when what it
means? When we hate others and try in whatever way to discriminate against them or punish them in
whatever way because they don’t share our faith, it is religious persecution. So do not be surprised you are
in your own small ways practicing religious persecution. Sometimes the persecuted becomes the
persecutor. After the Jews (the Macabees brothers) were persecuted by King Antiochus, the king of Syria,
they would eventually turn to persecute others because of their faith.
As Christians we have the example of Christ, who was persecuted because of his beliefs. He was not
accepted because He preached a God who is a God of mercy, compassion and love; a God who loves the
poor, the weak and the sinner. He followed the Maccabees brothers by surrendering himself to the evil
forces that rule the hearts of the powerful. He offered his life as an example and for the salvation of the
World. Millions of Christians have followed His example, noble martyrs for the faith down through the
ages. There are still millions who are suffering slow martyrdom for the same faith today.
The English translation of the Greek word “martyr” is “witness”. Therefore, each of us, one way or the
other, is a martyr. When we witness to our faith and live according to what Christ teaches, we are living as
martyrs in our own way. Just as St. Paul would address the Christians of his time as “saints”, which means
“holy” or “holy ones”. We are martyrs by virtue of witnessing to Christ and his Church. May we really be
true martyrs for the Lord. Then will our salvation be assured.
Past Reflections November 11, 2007