THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

III EASTER SUNDAY - Acts 5:27-32,40-41

In the Acts of the Apostles, we find the narrative of the first persecution, when the Apostles were put in prison and then forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus. As they refused to obey such an order, they were flogged. As they left, “they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name” (Act 5:41), that is Jesus’ name. Since the very beginning, plenty of Christians have suffered violence, torture and death, having committed no other crime than to be followers of Jesus Christ. For the Christians, the cross is not a symbol of power, but of suffering and persecution. Throughout the centuries, we always find Christians who are ready to associate themselves with the cross of Jesus, sharing his passion and his death. Nowadays, Christians are being persecuted in many countries. 

In countries dominated by communist dictatorships, like North Korea and China. And in countries of Muslim majority, like Pakistan, Iran, South Arabia, Afghanistan. Even in countries that seem moderate, like Egypt and Turkey, Christians have no freedom to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In many countries of the world, Christians are becoming victims of vicious hatred and nobody speaks for them. The world ignores their suffering, doing nothing to denounce this unjust persecution. When on Easter Sunday there was an attack on three churches in Sri Lanka, some politicians  could not mention the Christians (who were the majority of the victims) and belittled them calling them "Easter worshipers." Even in this Europe of Christian roots, most politicians are ashamed of mentioning Christ or of associating themselves with Christian symbols. The martyrs of Sri Lanka were slaughtered on the most sacred and festive day of the Christian calendar with the declared aim of sending a message that the feast of the infidels should end. 

We cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are being tortured and killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ, receiving worse treatment than criminals. They need our solidarity and our voices to speak for them and to defend their human rights. The world needs to understand that faith in Jesus Christ is not a crime and true faith in Jesus Christ puts us at the service of humanity.

We may ask ourselves what gives Christians the courage and the strength to stick to their faith, in spite of all the hardships, difficulties and persecutions. Today’s gospel gives the answer: like Simon Peter, they have experienced Christ’s love and they cannot depart from it any more. At the end of his Gospel, John presents a final question - the question that Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love me more than these?” It is a question that cannot remain without answer. And if in spite of our weaknesses and shortcomings, we can say yes, then it means that we have discovered and experienced Jesus’ love for us and we cannot live without it. Knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, the Christians are ready to endure the cross for the sake of Jesus.

Let us pray for all Christians that suffering persecution. May the Lord give them strength and perseverance. And may the world recognise the pain and the suffering unjustly inflicted upon thousands of Christians. They are suffering in union with Christ’s passion and with their suffering, they cooperate with Jesus in the salvation of the world.