you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for youin God. For that is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.
Reflections
“Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit.”Saints are people like us, of flesh and blood. They came from all walks of life: John Paul II and John XXIII were popes; Ezekiel Moreno was a priest and bishop; Thomas More was a lawyer and statesman; Margaret of Scotland was queen, wife, and mother of 10; Therese of Lisieux was a nun; Tarci- sius was an altar boy; Francis of Asissi was a deacon; Pedro Calung- sod was a catechist; Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman; Isidore was a farmer; Louis and Zellie Martin were hus- band and wife, etc. They were very much like us. But what makes the difference? The difference lies in the fact that their Christian Faith dictated and gave direction to their way of life. The difference is that they lived the Faith they em- braced, and the Gospel they be- lieved. They were totally devoted to Jesus. They had their own weak- ness, and like us they had to strug- gle with human inclinations and temptations, but they triumphed in their pursuit of holiness; they were Christians in and out. They took to heart not to stain their identity as children of God.“Be like saints” is our battle cry today. It will indeed be a great rejoicing when someday we will find each other counted and num- bered among the saints, among those who will be marked and sealed as children of God (Rev. 7:3; 1 Jn 3:1,2).
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019