Homily, 4-17-23; Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter:
The Apostles cite the words of the 2nd Psalm, which was also our responsorial psalm this morning, and explain how it applies to the persecution of Jesus: “Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.”
And Jesus had told the disciples: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn. 15:20). And so the Apostles did not shy away from what was in store for them. Instead they turned in confidence to the Father asking for assistance in persevering against the threat saying: “Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
We can reflect on our own time as the Church is being persecuted. The FBI is infiltrating Catholic churches. Churches were forced to down during for fear of Covid. Pro-life workers and centers are physically attacked. Christians are being prosecuted for hate speech for voicing their religious beliefs. Some are even being arrested for admitting they were praying silently to themselves.
Are we ready for the challenge to stand up against kings of the earth and the princes gathered against us? Like the disciples, we need to pray to God the Father to enable us to speak His words with all boldness. Jesus told us that in time of persecution that the Holy Spirit will give us guidance. He said: “When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit” (Mk. 13:11).
We are not to worry about what we are to say, but we do need to pray that we are bold enough to say it. A friend I knew from Sacred Heart was an avid pro-lifer and never shied away from voice her views, some of you knew her as well. She called everyone to have holy boldness to do the same.
Holy boldness, that’s what the apostles had in the face of persecution. Pray for the strength to follow their example.