34TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 21:12-19) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“You will be hated by all because of my name.” (Lk 21:17)

FIRST READING - RV 15:1-4

A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring:

seven angels with the seven last plagues,

for through them God’s fury is accomplished.

Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire.

On the sea of glass were standing those

who had won the victory over the beast

and its image and the number that signified its name.

They were holding God’s harps,

and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God,

and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and wonderful are your works,

Lord God almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

O king of the nations.

Who will not fear you, Lord,

or glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All the nations will come

and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - LK 21:12-19

From the Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to the crowd:

“They will seize and persecute you,

they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,

and they will have you led before kings and governors

because of my name.

It will lead to your giving testimony.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,

for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking

that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

You will even be handed over by parents,

brothers, relatives, and friends,

and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

34TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Luke 21:12-19)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Gospel, God calls on His disciples to have faith in God's love; not to worry, not to be afraid, and not to be troubled when encountering big waves, strong winds, or trials and persecutions brought by the world; as the Son of God also had to go through these difficulties.

God wants His disciples to have faith in His love, and have faith in His power and strength. He is capable of doing anything. He takes care of everything, including the apostles He has chosen in His plan of salvation.

God taught His apostles as well as all mankind that those who are carrying out the work of God's plan of salvation and are being persecuted, imprisoned, or mistreated, not to worry, should not be afraid, and should not worry about how to defend themselves; because at that moment, God will enlighten them on what to say and what to do.

God wants all mankind to always have faith in His love and providence, to follow the path of truth, the path of God's light.

Then Satan will not be able to harm our bodies or souls.

God calls on those who are still weak, timid, and afraid to stand up! Hold on to God's love, hold on to His light, so that He can increase our strength, increase our courage, and firmly step forward in the plan of salvation that God gives to all mankind.

God loves all souls. He does not want to lose any soul.

Therefore, the Word of God today calls on His apostles as well as all mankind to walk on the path of God's light so that God Himself will give peace, and happiness to humanity, and eternal life in His Kingdom.

God will give worthy rewards to those who do everything according to His teachings and are faithful and loyal to Him until our last breath. Our souls and bodies will also see the face of God when He calls us out of this world. God's Word has promised, and He will fulfill it.

Thanks be to God. Amen.