Blessed Are the Persecuted (“Deep Wisdom” 9 of 9)

Whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Mark 8:35

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness” (1 John 1:5). God is wholly and entirely good. Nothing he does is evil. He is sovereign; nothing occurs outside his permission and loving plan.

Those who belong to him, therefore, refuse to do evil—even when some apparent good might result. In choosing what is right, they accept whatever follows, however painful it may be. When wronged, they respond with good. They understand that their happiness lies in doing God’s will and that fidelity will not go unrewarded.

In this way, they become a pleasing offering to God the Father, conformed to the pattern of God the Son. Our Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted for speaking the truth. As he went to his Passion and Cross, “he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Rather than threaten in return, “he trusted to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). He “makes himself an offering for sin” (Isaiah 53:10), giving his life in reparation. His was an act of divine, redeeming, self-sacrificial love. When we imitate him, we too—by grace—may benefit others, “complet[ing] what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24).

Yet, as fallen creatures, we often justify compromise with evil as necessary to secure certain goods or to protect ourselves and those we love. This is blindness. It implicitly denies God’s perfect goodness, his omnipotence, and his promises. It forgets that our true happiness is found in Christ alone—and that to possess him is to possess all things in him.

This compromise is not limited to dramatic moments, such as denying Christ under persecution. It appears in smaller, habitual choices: resisting an inspiration of the Holy Spirit to draw near in prayer in order to indulge some lesser pleasure; preferring distraction to communion. Even when we avoid grave sin, we deceive ourselves if we seek fulfillment in created things rather than in God.

The Christian life, then, requires repeated acts of self-oblation—obedient sacrifice in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. We must imitate the Lord in this pattern if we are to receive the blessings promised to those who take up their cross and follow him.

How does the “deep wisdom” of those persecuted for righteousness’ sake prepare us to evangelize?

In Christ, preaching and Passion are inseparable. His proclamation of the kingdom culminates in his obedience “unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The gospel is the good news of God’s saving work accomplished through the obedient sacrifice of his Son. One cannot credibly proclaim that message while resisting the form it takes.

God does not abundantly bless the evangelizing efforts of a counter-witness.

By contrast, the person inwardly transformed by cruciform love acquires spiritual boldness and authenticity. Such a man or woman can proclaim the gospel with credibility, endure opposition, and suffer for its advance. In doing so, he or she becomes an icon to the world of the crucified Christ.