Question:
Answer:
No one likes to be unjustly persecuted, but our Lord says to expect such opposition if we are faithful to him and his mission, and yet not to fear it:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt. 5:10-12).
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me” (John 15:19-21).
And yet, as Jesus also conveys, we can not only survive but thrive amidst the persecution, as the pantheon of saints illustrates so beautifully:
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:43-48).
So rather than becoming despondent, we need to continue loving those who oppose us. But that will only be possible by being centered in the Lord and his Church, so that we will have the strength to do it (Matt. 19:26).