From today’s Scripture: “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.” — Lk 6:22

As a people of God, what is the main requirement to get closer to Jesus? Is it happiness? Is it fulfillment? St. Luke puts it very clearly. It is to suffer for the sake of the advancement of the kingdom of Christ here and now. Without suffering for Christ, there would be no relationship with Jesus. In the process of our longingness to get closer to Christ, many will hate us, many will discriminate against us, many will demoralize us. But let us not be afraid of the challenges that we might face because by so enduring these challenges, we also bring others closer to Jesus.

Let us pray: Lord, increase my thirst for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting peace. May I desire you above all things and find perfect joy in doing your will. Amen.

Today’s author is Father Charles Aketch, vocations director. He previously served as mission pastor of Holy Family parish in Macon County, Tennessee.

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