They Will Seize You and Persecute You…

“They will seize you and persecute you…” Strong words. The kind of a statement from Jesus Christ that ought to get one’s attention. But does it? And in what way? As we read and chew on this Gospel, Luke 21:12-19, what’s it saying to each of us?

They Will Seize and Persecute You

In this prophetic word, Our Lord tells His disciples what life will hold for them in the time before the destruction of the temple. In the passage following this one, He foretells the fall of Jerusalem. How must they have felt as He talked to them about this?

Some Feeling of Discomfort, Lord?

More to the point, how do I feel as I read Luke 21:12-19 and pray about it?

It’s making me uncomfortable for some reason. Lord, where’s that coming from? After all, I’ve consecrated my life to You, Jesus, through Mary. Every morning, I pray St. Charles de Foucauld’s prayer of abandonment:

Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

So, why don’t I rush out with joy in the knowledge that I’ll be persecuted in Jesus’ Holy Name?

Consideration of All Jesus Has Done for Me

Why indeed. After all, He’s given me all that I have, including this short temporal life here. He suffered terribly and died to secure my redemption. He’s given me the grace to respond to His call after years of being far away from Him. He’s provided innumerable blessings throughout my life. I need to prayerfully consider all of that in light of His prophetic word, “They will seize you and persecute you.”

With Consideration Comes Gratitude

Looking through the lens of Romans 8:28, all He’s willed or allowed in my life He has known from before time and can work for my sanctification. If I cooperate with His grace. Clearly something to consider. But, how many times have the little seemingly nuisance “persecutions” of the daily crosses left me cross and anything but joyful?

Time for an attitude adjustment, it appears. Lord, I thank You for all You’ve done for me, all You are doing, and will do for me.

Make Me a Worthy Witness, Lord

You tell me, “It will lead to your giving testimony.” Give me the grace to grow in wisdom, to better see and understand as You do, not as my limited human capacity is wont to do. So, when You tell me, “They will seize and persecute you,” You’re telling me it’s a great opportunity to give testimony, to witness to you. Thank you, Jesus! But Lord, You know I can’t do this without You! Help me see where I need Your grace and an increase in fortitude to boldly, with charity and clarity give witness to You.

I Can’t Do It Without You, Lord

O my Jesus, you say, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Perseverance, my Lord, I ask of You. Give power to my weakness through growth in perseverance. Help me fight against the enemy’s attempts to create doubt, discouragement, despondency–even despair.

Lord, I know that You already know this, but I ask You to grant me grace to grow in constancy together with perseverance. Help me grow in constancy to overcome myself, my self-will, my self-love and distractedness, to stay focused on You and Your will in the moment. Without your grace and love, I can do nothing, Lord.

Do I Know My Enemy?

“They will seize you and persecute you:” who are “they”? “They” can be the devil and his minions out to create desolation and draw me away from You, Lord, through distractions. Help me always to be quick to “be aware, understand, and take action” when they’re trying to distract me. Your grace and power are infinitely greater than the disturbance they attempt to create.  

At the same time, with the trends in current events, it’s easy to see that “they” can be those people and organizations that oppose You, Lord, and all that You stand for. They don’t want to hear or know the truth. Grant me the grace to grow in, and to practice, the virtue of fortitude and the gift of fortitude, knowing that You have my back. Help me proclaim You boldly and clearly in season and out of season. You are “my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (cf. Ps 91)

You Are My Rock, My Lord

Be my rock of my refuge, Lord. Don’t let me take my eyes off of you for one moment! Grant me the grace to get free of my attachments in order to make room for You, Your grace, Your strength. Keep me focused on You and Your will in the sacrament of the present moment, giving witness to You in all things and all circumstances.  

Lord, I surrender my past to Your Divine Mercy, my now to Your Sacrament of the Present Moment, and my future to Your Divine Providence.