Facing Adversity

Gospel: Matthew 10: 16-23

Seeing how little we have followed the instructions of ministry Jesus gave to us, we now come to the instructions on how to deal with adversity and persecution we will face in ministry.  He instructs us to say nothing before the courts of men, relying entirely on God to guide us.  If we face persecution in one town, we are to flee from that place and go to another.  We are not to grumble or complain, but to rejoice in these trials and persecutions.  

In the present age we find incessant moaning and complaint among Christians at even the slightest opposition or word spoken against us.  The constant striving for power and status in society is an attempt at finding some security and avoidance of persecution.  We seek to claim our rights in these matters, and we have much to say when faced with opposition.  What is worse, how often has the Church become the one persecuting others instead of the one suffering persecution?

The advice Jesus gave to us is the very advice he himself modeled at his own trial and death.  In the face of his accusers he remained silent.  He relied entirely on God, praying in the garden for assistance and then reciting Psalm 22 on the cross.  Jesus then forgave everyone who had a part in his death - his betrayer, his denier, those who abandoned him, the soldiers, the crowd - everyone.  His instruction and example is for us to follow in all things.