First reading Apocalypse 15:1-4
The victors sang the hymn of Moses and of the Lamb
What I, John, saw in heaven was a great and wonderful sign: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God. I seemed to see a glass lake suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God, and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb:
‘How great and wonderful are all your works,
Lord God Almighty;
just and true are all your ways,
King of nations.
Who would not revere and praise your name, O Lord?
You alone are holy,
and all the pagans will come and adore you
for the many acts of justice you have shown.’
Responsorial Psalm 97(98):1-3,7-9
How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God almighty.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
Let the sea and all within it, thunder;
the world, and all its peoples.
Let the rivers clap their hands
and the hills ring out their joy
at the presence of the Lord.
For the Lord comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with fairness.
Gospel Luke 21:12-19
Your endurance will win you your lives
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’
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Go and be a witness for Christ
In today’s gospel, Jesus presented to His disciples a terrifying picture of persecution, imprisonment, betrayal and even death. Yet, He promised them that not a hair of their head would be lost because He would be with them and give them the eloquence and wisdom they needed.
Today, we are called to be His living witnesses. Though our relationship with God is personal, it must also be lived in the public sphere. Thus, we are invited to go and publicly live our faith by living the gospel values, even when it is not easy for us. Jesus is with us. His loving presence makes it possible for us to persevere and endure.
Reflective question:
How can I bear witness to Christ to others today?
How can I bear witness to Christ to others today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
