Pope: still today Christians face trials and
persecutions
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday
urged Christians not to be afraid to proclaim the Gospel message, to expect
failure and even persecutions, but to always live in the knowledge that the
Lord is on their side.
Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for
the Angelus prayer, the Pope reflected on the liturgical
reading of the day in which Jesus said to his disciples “Fear no one” but
instructed them and prepared them to face the trials and persecutions the would
suffer.
“Jesus’ mission, he said, did not guarantee the disciples
success, nor did it shield them from failure or suffering.”
Likewise, the Pope said, Christians must consider the
possibility of rejection and persecution: “this is a bit scary, but it is the
truth.”
In fact, he explained, the disciple is called to conform his
life to Christ, who was persecuted, rejected and abandoned to die on the cross.
“There is no Christian mission in the name of tranquility,
the Pope said, difficulties and tribulations are part and package of
evangelization” he said.
The Pope also explained that challenges are occasions in
which “to verify the authenticity of our faith and of our relationship with
Jesus” always within the knowledge that “God does not abandon his children
during the storm”.
"In the difficulties of Christian witness in the world,
we are never forgotten, but always assisted by the Father's thoughtful
solicitude" he said.
Pope Francis also pointed out that even in our day
persecution against Christians still exists.
“Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted
and praise the Lord because, in spite of this, they continue to witness their
faith with courage and fidelity” he said.
Another test of faith - Francis continued - may even be the absence of hostility and tribulation.
Another test of faith - Francis continued - may even be the absence of hostility and tribulation.
"In addition to being ‘sheep in the midst of wolves’,
the Lord also sends us forth as sentinels in the midst of people who do not
want to be awakened from a worldly numbness, who ignore the truth of the Gospel
message and build their own ephemeral truth" he said.
Hence, Pope Francis concluded, always heed Jesus’
encouragement not to fear those who mock and abuse, or those who ignore or
appear to honor the Gospel but in reality go against it.
"Jesus does not leave us alone because we are precious
to Him" he said.
After the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis
prayed for the victims of a landslide in southwestern China, he greeted the
Lithuanian people who on Sunday celebrate the Blessed Theofilius Matulonius –
the first Soviet-era Blessed of the nation, and he remembered the faithful of
the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church who mark the 150th anniversary of the
canonization of St. Josaphat.
