Pope says persecuted Christians are examples of courage in extreme situations
November 25, 2013 - Christians are called to make definite choices, as martyrs of
every age teach us. Even today the persecuted brothers are a model to us and encourage
us to completely trust in the Lord. Pope Francis made this exhortation at his morning
Mass on Monday, at the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. He was commenting
on the Old Testament figure of Daniel and his companions in slavery under King Nebuchadnezzar
of Babylon, and the episode of the Widow’s Mite from the Gospel of Luke. The widow
gives to the temple all she has and the youth risk their lives to be faithful to
the Lord. The Pope said both the widow in extreme poverty and the young men in slavery
risked their lives choosing the Lord with a great heart, without any personal interest
or meanness. For them the Lord was everything and they entrusted themselves to the
Lord. This, the Pope explained is not ‘fanatic force’ but they did it they knew the
Lord is always faithful, He does not change. This is true just in small things but
also in great and difficult choices. “Even in the Church, in the history of the
Church we find men, women, the elderly and youth who have made this choice,” the
Pope said. When we read in newspapers about the persecution of Christians today,
we think about these brothers and sisters in extreme situations, who have made this
choice. They are an example for us and encourage us to contribute to the treasury
of the Church all we live for. Even in our days there are people who make definitive
choices. He thought of the many mothers and fathers who make definite choices to
go ahead with their families and children. This the Pope said, is a treasure in the
Church. The Pope urged all to implore the Lord for the courage to forge ahead in
Christian life, in the daily habitual common situations and also in extreme situations.