WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? · the prophet Muhammad had been insulted, hundreds of Muslims rioted...
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36 www.faceup.ie 37 www.faceup.ie PREJUDICE AGAINST CHRISTIANS ISN’T A THING OF THE PAST. MICHAEL DALEY EXPLAINS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EIGHTH BEATITUDE, ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ IN TODAY’S WORLD. Waking up one Sunday morning recently, all I could say was “Life is Good.” Warm bed. Refreshing shower. Nice breakfast. Enlivening Mass. What else could go right? But, leafing through my newspaper, one article leapt out from the pages. The headline read: ‘Pakistani mob torches Christians’ houses.’ After hearing a rumour that the prophet Muhammad had been insulted, hundreds of Muslims rioted through a Christian neighbourhood damaging property and burning homes. In the aftermath, one resident said, “They’ve burnt everything in my whole house. Nothing is left here. I don’t know why this happened.” Well, as a religious minority in Pakistan, any Christians who live there are particularly vulnerable. The smallest disagreement can quickly turn into a larger conflict, which in this case led to persecution. HUNGRY LIONS If it weren’t for the newspaper article I don’t think I’d have believed the story. Probably like me, you associate prejudice against Christians as something that happened long ago. Perhaps the image that comes to mind is the classic one of arrested Christians, singing hymns together in Rome’s Coliseum as they prepared to meet the hungry lions, all for an audience’s perverse pleasure. Yet, the persecution of Christians is as common and widespread today as it’s ever been: 1) Christian persecution still takes place in over 130 countries. 2) It’s the most widespread form of religious discrimination, making up around 80% of all acts. 3) Far more Christians have been martyred – died for their faith – in the last few decades than “Christian persecution still takes place in over 130 countries ” WHA T DO Y OU S T AND FOR? good people remain silent, compromise, or even deny their discipleship in Jesus. They don’t allow their values to be shown and heard. I’m reminded of a famous ‘prayer’ by Martin Niemoller. He was a German pastor who, during World War II, spoke out, almost too late, against Adolf Hitler: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me. Who do you speak for? How do you show witness to your relationship with God? Is it through service? Working at a homeless shelter? Teaching others how to read or write? Helping immigrants adjust to a new culture and country? Assisting people with disabilities to express their talents through art? Your answers to these questions were killed in the first three centuries of the Church. It’s only stating the obvious to say that Christians have long known that faithfulness – being a disciple of Jesus in word and deed – doesn’t necessarily lead to success in this life. In light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, a certain amount of persecution is to be expected. How could it not? If you’re a person of the beatitudes – poor in spirit, empathetic, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker – people will resist what you stand for. The question is: What do you stand for? KEEPING QUIET Out of fear, or a misguided attempt at being polite, many might make you realise that, rather than ending persecution, you could be contributing to it without even being aware. LONGED FOR WORDS In her prayer, Apology to My Brothers and Sisters in the Developing World, Sister Joyce Rupp ends with these words: ‘My brothers and sisters, forgive me for my arrogance and indifference. Forgive me for my greed of always wanting newer, bigger and better things. Forgive me for not doing my part to change unjust systems that keep you suffering and impoverished. I offer you my promise to become more aware of your situation and to change my lifestyle as I work for the transformation of our world.’ The early church was fond of quoting the phrase, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’ They stood for something. As a result, they faced persecution. You know that you stand for something. Let what you stand for be a seed of faith as well. Maybe then you’ll hear the longed for words of Jesus, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.’ Sister Joyce Rupp Martin Niemoller
Transcript of WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? · the prophet Muhammad had been insulted, hundreds of Muslims rioted...
36 www.faceup.ie
37www.faceup.ie
PREJUDICE AGAINST CHRISTIANS ISN’T A THING OF THE PAST. MICHAEL DALEY EXPLAINS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EIGHTH BEATITUDE, ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS’ IN TODAY’S WORLD.
Waking up one Sunday morning recently, all I could say was “Life is Good.” Warm bed. Refreshing shower. Nice breakfast. Enlivening Mass. What else could go right?But, leafing through my
newspaper, one article leapt out from the pages. The headline read: ‘Pakistani mob torches Christians’ houses.’ After hearing a rumour that the prophet Muhammad had been insulted, hundreds of Muslims rioted through a Christian neighbourhood damaging property and burning homes.In the aftermath, one resident
said, “They’ve burnt everything in my whole house. Nothing is left here. I don’t know why this happened.” Well, as a religious minority in Pakistan, any Christians who live there are particularly vulnerable. The smallest disagreement can quickly turn into a larger conflict, which in this case led to persecution.
HUNGRY LIONSIf it weren’t for the newspaper article I don’t think I’d have believed the story. Probably like me, you associate prejudice against Christians as something that happened long ago. Perhaps the image that comes to mind is the classic one of arrested Christians, singing hymns together in Rome’s Coliseum as they prepared to meet the hungry lions, all for an audience’s perverse pleasure. Yet, the persecution of
Christians is as common and widespread today as it’s ever been: 1) Christian persecution still takes place in over 130 countries. 2) It’s the most widespread form of religious discrimination, making up around 80% of all acts.3) Far more Christians have been martyred – died for their faith – in the last few decades than
“Christian persecution still takes place in over 130 countries”
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR?
good people remain silent, compromise, or even deny their discipleship in Jesus. They don’t allow their values to be shown and heard. I’m reminded of a famous ‘prayer’ by Martin Niemoller. He was a German pastor who, during World War II, spoke out, almost too late, against Adolf Hitler:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.
Who do you speak for? How do you show witness to your relationship with God? Is it through service? Working at a homeless shelter? Teaching others how to read or write? Helping immigrants adjust to a new culture and country? Assisting people with disabilities to express their talents through art? Your answers to these questions
were killed in the first three centuries of the Church.It’s only stating the obvious to say that Christians have long known that faithfulness – being a disciple of Jesus in word and deed – doesn’t necessarily lead to success in this life. In light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, a certain amount of persecution is to be expected. How could it not? If you’re a person of the beatitudes – poor in spirit, empathetic, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker – people will resist what you stand for.
The question is: What do you stand for?
KEEPING QUIETOut of fear, or a misguided attempt at being polite, many
might make you realise that, rather than ending persecution, you could be contributing to it without even being aware.
LONGED FOR WORDSIn her prayer, Apology to My Brothers and Sisters in the Developing World, Sister Joyce Rupp ends with these words:
‘My brothers and sisters, forgive me for my arrogance and indifference. Forgive me for my greed of always wanting newer, bigger and better things. Forgive me for not doing my part to change unjust systems that keep you suffering and impoverished. I offer you my promise to become more aware of your situation and to change my lifestyle as I work for the transformation of our world.’
The early church was fond of quoting the phrase, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’ They stood for something. As a result, they faced persecution.You know that you stand for
something. Let what you stand for be a seed of faith as well. Maybe then you’ll hear the longed for words of Jesus, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.’
Sister Joyce RuppMartin Niemoller
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