The Blessing No One Wants: From Persecution to Prophetic Witness

“Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”—Mt 5:10

Maggie the Good Mom

Maggie was a good mom. Little Johnny was starting to master addition. Her Kate was getting the hang of spelling compound words like shopkeeper. They were so cute in their bedtime prayers, always remembering Grandma and their cousins. And while they weren’t perfect, they were developing a genuine love and respect for people.

As Maggie pulled into the parking lot at the playground, she caught sight of Sally—another mom—and her smile faded before returning as an embarrassed grin. As she got out, she could hear Sally clucking her tongue and saying: “Ah, get ready girls. Here comes Miss High and Holy. Who is she fooling? She acts so prim and perfect. Is she really wearing that sweater? Why can’t she be more like us?”

Delusional or Divine?

When Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the persecuted…” we can think He’s being delusional. Of course, persecution isn’t a blessing! We are made for communion, not rejection and ridicule. Is this a lie from the pits of hell?

Well, it is either that or a consoling bit of divine revelation. Let’s break it down and see, ok?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” —Rm 12:1

Righteousness’ Sake

Righteousness means fidelity to God—specifically, fidelity to the mission God has entrusted to us: to make Christ known, to build up disciples, and to be a prophetic witness in a world that often either denies Christ or confesses Him with their lips while denying Him by their lives.

This mission begins at home with our spouse and children, then extends to family, friends, work, school, and every other dimension of our lives. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. A light is not brought in to be put under a bed or a basket, but on a stand to give light to the whole house.

This is our mission—for righteousness’ sake.

“Go therefore, and make disciples...” —Mt 28:19

Persecution

In a perfect world, sharing Christ with others would be met with joy and adulation. We don’t live in that world. Here, sharing Christ often leads to rejection and ridicule.

Jesus Himself prophesies that His coming will lead to division—two against three and three against two. We are not isolated because we have a community of believers, but there are clear lines of demarcation. Our communion is not universal.

This division causes pain. What good can come from it?

“All things work for the good of those who love God.” —Rm 8:28

The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Heaven is Christ Himself—belonging to God through Him. Persecution becomes a doorway to special intimacy with our Lord, who was Himself rejected and ridiculed: His own kinsmen believed Him to be “out of his mind.” The Apostles fled from Him in the Garden. The rulers of His people accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons, and later stirred up the same crowd who cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” to shout even louder, “Crucify Him!”

“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” —Phil 3:8

Transforming Union

Union with Christ is transforming—from the limits of human nature to the unbounded glory of divinity. One part and one path for this transformation is the pain of persecution.

We can only get so far along the spiritual path by doing good—like water heated to 211°. At that temperature, water is very hot, but mostly useless. But something happens at 212°. The “persecution” of the heat turns the water into steam. It becomes a force capable of powering a train, a cargo ship, or even a whole city.

At 212°, water becomes the Light of the World.

“When I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Cor 12:10

The “Revenge” of Maggie the Supermom

Maggie hated herself for the thoughts she had about Sally. She had already confessed them. A month after the playground incident, Sally slipped on some ice and broke her arm.

“Serves her right,” was Maggie’s first thought, and she knew it was wrong.

That night during prayers, little Johnny prayed for Sally to get well soon. Maggie knew it was God speaking to her through her son. How could she be happy at Sally’s suffering?

The next morning, during her personal prayer, she came across Lk 6:27–28:

“I say to you who are listening:

Love your enemies.

Do good to those who hate you.

Bless those who curse you.

Pray for those who calumniate you.”

Maggie prayed, “Oh Lord, grant me the grace to love Sally, to do good to her, to bless and pray for her.”

That afternoon, Maggie made an extra lasagna and brought it to Sally’s with a note:

Sally,

I’m so sorry you broke your arm. Here is a small token of my love for you. I pray that God may fill you and your family with His strength and consolation during this time. You are a natural-born leader with so much to offer our community. May God grant you the grace to be a great leader and great mom.

In Christ with love,

Maggie

From persecution, Maggie had passed to prophetic witness. Through union with Christ, she had been transformed from a limited “good mom” to a divine “supermom.”

Mother Teresa’s “Anyway” Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

If you are someone who does well with worksheets and journal pages, try the Persecution to Prophetic Witness Worksheet

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