CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Pope Francis dedicated his April 4 homily to the theme of persecution, noting that although many of the trials saints have endured still happen today, there is always hope because \u201cJesus is Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\u201cAll the people whom the Holy Spirit chooses to tell the truth to the People of God suffer persecution,\u201d the Pope expressed to those present in the Vatican\u2019s Saint Martha guesthouse chapel, noting that Jesus \u201cis precisely the model, the icon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tThe pontiff began his reflections by returning to the day\u2019s Gospel, taken from John, in which Jesus alludes to his heavenly origin, for which the people attempt to arrest him.<\/p>\n
\tEmphasizing that \u201ctoday's Gospel is clear, no?\u201d Pope Francis pointed out that \u201cJesus hid, in those last days, because his hour had yet to come \u2013 but he knew what end he would make, and how he would make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cJesus is persecuted from the beginning: when we remember the beginning of his preaching, he returns to his country, goes to the synagogue and preaches,\u201d but that after great praise, people begin to whisper, saying \u201c\u2018But, we know where he comes from \u2026 he is one of us\u2026with that authority comes he to teach us? Where did he study?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt is the same old thing,\u201d he observed, noting that \u201cthey \u2026 write the Lord off, write off the prophet in order to take away his authority.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHighlighting how the prophets \u201care all persecuted or misunderstood,\u201d the Pope went on to describe how history repeats itself in the Church, from the moment of Jesus\u2019 crucifixion until today.<\/p>\n
\tReflecting on how numerous saints have suffered persecution because they were prophets, the Roman Pontiff noted that \u201cmany thinkers in the Church were persecuted as well,\u201d and recalled the story of a man \u201cnow, at this moment, not so far from us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cA man of good will, a prophet indeed, who, in his writings reproached the Church for having lost the way of the Lord,\u201d the Pope explained, recounting that this man \u201cwas summoned in short order, his books were placed on the index, they took away his teaching positions \u2013 and thus, this man\u2019s life ended \u2013 and it was not so long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tNow that time has passed the man is a blessed, the pontiff continued, asking \u201cHow is it, though, that he, who yesterday was a heretic, is today a blessed of the Church?\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt is because yesterday, those who had power wanted to silence him because they did not like what he was saying. Today the Church, who, thanks be to God, knows repentance, says, \u2018No, this man is good!\u2019 Moreover, he is on the way to sainthood: He is a blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tVatican Radio's summary of the homily failed to indicate to whom the Pope was referring.<\/p>\n
\tObserving that all who seek to tell the truth of God endure persecution, Pope Francis emphasized that Jesus is our model in this because he took upon himself \u201call the persecutions of his people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI dare say,\u201d he added, \u201cthat perhaps there are as many or more martyrs now that in the early days,\u201d because they proclaim the truth and Christ Jesus in a world that is in love with ease and which seeks to avoid problems.<\/p>\n
\tNoting how in some places of the world today, \u201cthere is the death penalty or imprisonment for having the Gospel at home, for teaching the Catechism,\u201d the Pope recalled how a Catholic from one of these countries confided in him \u201cthat they cannot pray together. It is forbidden.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cPeople can only pray alone and in secret \u2013 but they want to celebrate the Eucharist and how do they? They throw a birthday party, they pretend to celebrate the birthday there and (have Mass) before the \u2018party,\u2019\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt has happened. When they see the police arrive, they just hide everything and (continue with the birthday party-cover). Then, when (authorities) leave, they finish the (Mass).\u201d<\/p>\n
\tGoing on, the pontiff highlighted that \u201cthey have to do so, because it is forbidden to pray together: in this very day,\u201d affirming that persecution \u201cis the way of the Lord: it is the path of those who follow the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tConcluding his reflections, Pope Francis emphasized that the story always ends in resurrection, but only by enduring the way of the cross.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cAlways \u2026 there will be persecutions, misunderstandings,\u201d however \u201cJesus is Lord \u2026 and that is the challenge and the cross of our faith,\u201d he affirmed, praying that the Lord give all \u201cthe grace to go on his way, and if it happens, even with the cross of persecution.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Vatican City, Apr 4, 2014 \/ 07:08 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Pope Francis dedicated his April 4 homily to the theme of persecution, noting that although many of the trials saints have endured still happen today, there is always hope because “Jesus is L…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vatican"],"yoast_head":"\n
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