When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:19-22 NABRE)
Jesus knew he would be divisive. He knew that many people would not believe in him or follow him. And he knew that his disciples would encounter persecutions as they bore witness to him as the promised one of God.
We are called to be witnesses to Jesus in today's world. How we do that needs to be grounded in faith and trust, certainly; but as witnesses, we must go to prayer as our primary resource and our first action as conflict stirs. We should pray that the Spirit of our Father will speak through us in times of challenge.
And we are called to endure to the end all that comes as a result of our witness. Yes, Jesus knew we would be hated by some because of his name. But his promise endures as well.
Lord, though I was not present with you as you walked this earth, I am a witness to your very real and tangible presence in my own life and times. Please let your Spirit guide me at times of trial, when I come to the end of my own courage, the end of my own strength, and the end of my own words. Let your Holy Spirit come alive through me so that others might recognize your presence in their midst.
Today, I will not worry about how I am to speak at times of challenge, but will trust that the Holy Spirit of God will speak instead of me.
Saint Veronica Giuliani, who, like Saint Francis, bore the stigmata of Christ, reflecting your commitment to the cross, pray for us.
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