Tuesday 28th April – Tuesday of the 4th week of Eastertide

Reflection: Acts 11:19-26

GOOD PERSECUTION

Surely, you must be thinking, “What is good about persecution?” You might not have taken time in the past to reflect on the good side of persecution. Indeed, not every ugly incident that happens to people in life is bad. Some ugly incidents may subsequently yield positive results. For instance, if as a student you are denied a vital grade in your Continuous Assessment tests, that would push you to study harder for the exams and to come out with a good grade at the end. On Meanwhile, if you had not been denied that vital mark and passed the C.A. very well then you might just treat the exams with levity.

The truth is that no one wants to be persecuted or accused for doing right, but we must do right no matter what the outcome may be. The early apostles suffered a lot persecution, some of which we can term as ‘good’ because the persecutions enabled the Good News to spread more rapidly as we see in today’s first reading and reach the uttermost parts of the earth as Jesus charged his apostles to do at His ascension.

Hence, you can turn a bad situation in your life into an avenue for greater accomplishments. It all has to do with your disposition and willingness to accept the situation and choose to make the best of it. That is what we call a ‘determined spirit’, and this too was the spirit of the early disciples amidst their persecutions. The persecutions led the disciples to leave Jerusalem, but wherever they went, they proclaimed the gospel of Christ, thus spreading the message of salvation even more. What persecution do you find yourself in today? Ask God to help you see the good in it.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please grant me the grace this day to overcome every form of persecution against me and make it a stepping stone to good things. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2474: “The Church has painstakingly collected the records of those who persevered to the end in witnessing to their faith. These are the acts of the Martyrs. They form the archives of truth written in letters of blood.”

HIDE A TREASURE: “At the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.” 1 Corinthians 10:13c. GNB.

Today’s Readings: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87:1-7; John 10:22-30