Pope Leo delivered an Angelus message last Sunday that may seem especially poignant to Americans today, living as we do in a time when the people in charge of our country lie almost constantly about everything.
He said that “acting in truth has its cost, because there are those who choose lies.” Persecution can come to those who follow Christ because Christ is a sign of contradiction to the rich and powerful. Our Lord’s message of love and justice was rejected by those in power and He was “opposed, arrested, insulted, beaten and crucified” because of it.
The Pope explained that Jesus invites us, with his help, not to give up and conform ourselves to a worldly mentality, but rather to persevere in doing good for all.
From The Holy See:
Today’s Gospel presents us with a demanding text (cf. Lk 12:49-53), in which Jesus uses strong images and great frankness to teach his disciples that his mission, and even that of his followers, is not a “bed of roses”, but a “sign of contradiction” (cf. Lk 2:34).
In this way, the Lord anticipates what he will have to face in Jerusalem when he will be opposed, arrested, insulted, beaten, crucified; when his message of love and justice will be rejected; when the leaders of the people will react with viciousness at his preaching. Moreover, many of the communities to which the evangelist Luke was writing were also experiencing the same thing. As the Acts of the Apostles tells us, they were peaceful communities that, despite their own limitations, sought to live the best they could the Master’s message of love (cf. Acts 4:32-33). Yet they were suffering persecutions.
All of this reminds us that being or doing good does not always receive a positive response. On the contrary, because its beauty at times annoys those who do not welcome it, one can end up encountering harsh opposition, even insolence and oppression. Acting in truth has its cost, because there are those in the world who choose lies, and the devil, who takes advantage of the situation, often seeks to block the actions of good people.
Jesus, however, invites us with his help not to give in and conform ourselves to this mentality, but to continue to act for our good and the good of all, even those who make us suffer. He invites us not to respond to insolence with vengeance, but to remain faithful to the truth in love. The martyrs witnessed to this by shedding their blood for their faith. We, too, can imitate their example even in different circumstances and ways.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In