A BITTER PERSECUTON

PRAYER MOMENT 

Wednesday 22 April 2015

A BITTER PERSECUTON

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “That day a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1-8)

Reflection. The honeymoon of the early church was soon over and the death of Stephen marked the beginning of the first persecution. 20 Ethiopians were beheaded or shot in Libya some days ago because they were Christians. This is the latest persecution. Today Jesuits all over the world are remembering this day as the occasion when Ignatius and his first companions bound themselves by solemn vows before an image of Mary into the community we now know as the Society of Jesus. The most treasured title of Mary is ‘mother.’ She is the Mother of Jesus and of all his disciples and of all who, consciously or unconsciously, follow his way. We are so numbed by constant terrible news these days we do not have time to grieve. But we can remember these 20, as she does in renewed sorrow, and with them all those who have died in current tragedies.

Prayer. Lord, your Mother still weeps at the foot of the cross for her suffering sons and daughters. Help us to be peacemakers where ever we are. Amen.

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