The Mission Intention of the Holy Father for the Month of August
(August 1, 2009) Here is the Mission Intention of the Holy Father for the Month of
August for the persecuted Christians: that Christians who suffer persecution and discrimination
may be granted human rights, equality, and freedom to live their faith. The Pope’s
mission intention this month turns our attention to persecuted Christian’s through-out
the world. Christians in India, Turkey, and Iraq risk martyrdom. In places like Saudi
Arabia, China, and Kosovo, they cannot practice their faith openly. In several places
Christians face discrimination in jobs, education, business, the courts, taxation,
housing, travel, and marriage. The Pope asks us to pray for human rights for Christians
everywhere because we are one Body in the Lord. Jesus has given us the command to
love those who persecute us. We exhort one another to have courage and be not afraid
no matter what happens because our loving Father holds us in his hand. As we pray
for human rights, equality, and freedom of religion for all Christians, we ourselves
make an effort to extend those rights to non-Christians everywhere. When we Christians
are in the majority, we should exemplify the Lord’s peace, justice, and mercy toward
all, particularly toward those who do not share our faith. Our love for friends and
foes alike is the mark of Christians ever since the Holy Spirit descended upon the
apostles and Mary as they were praying in the Upper Room. While we are aware of hostility,
danger, and discrimination directed toward us, we also remind God will reward and
comfort all who suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. Secure in that knowledge, we
ought to rejoice in our own sufferings on behalf of the Gospel. But while we encourage
each other with these thoughts, we pray that Christians everywhere may escape suffering
and obtain the rights to which all people are entitled.