Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 10, 17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
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.”
Persecution is part of life
1. Be Cautious. While it’s important to trust others, you must also guard yourself. Not everyone has your best interests at heart, and envy can lead to harm. Some may try to take advantage of your kindness or interpret your generosity as weakness. That’s why it’s essential to be discerning—many who celebrate your successes may be the first to criticize you in times of failure. Keep seeking God and let your dedication to others come from Him. Move forward with caution and wisdom. A word of advice: be selective in what you share about your personal life. Sharing too much can give others power over you, so don’t speak too much about your private affairs.
2. Bear Witness. As a Christian, your life is meant to be a testimony. Consider the example set by the early martyrs, such as St. Stephen—they took risks and always stood firm in their faith. This doesn’t mean acting recklessly. When you live with faith and have clarity, you’ll be able to confront any situation, confident that God is always by your side, both in good times and in bad. Our mission is to bear witness to Christ—not to our achievements, roles, or titles.
3. Persevere. Keep going! Be patient and don’t lose heart when you face criticism or negativity from others. Growing in faith is a process, and every journey has stages—sometimes you move quickly, other times more slowly. What matters is that those who persevere know their purpose and follow through with peace in their hearts. They keep moving forward rather than remaining stuck. If you’ve been feeling stagnant, remember: life is a journey—take the next step and keep walking.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
