“The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They do this because they have not known either the Father or me.”
“The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church’’- Tertullian
Tertullian saw how the blood of murdered martyrs planted the seeds that would grow the faith.
The persecution of Christians is not new. Jesus and His Apostles, all murdered unjustly for their beliefs. Christian missionaries and converts to Christianity have both been targeted for persecution, sometimes to the point of being martyred for their faith. Some are put to death, stoned under the flimsy accusation of blasphemy. When will persecution stops? Not now, not today
The 2022 World Watch List (WWL) released by Open Doors International survey covering a period from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, shows that persecution against Christians continues to rise especially in Asian and African countries and that the COVID 19 pandemic has further exacerbated discrimination. The WWL report was analyzed by the independent International Institute of Religious Freedom (IRF) which reported that over 360 million people (that is 1 out of 7 globally) endured persecution and discrimination in their country last year. Overall, 5,898 Christians were killed (up 23,8 % versus 2020), 5,110 churches were attacked or closed (up 13,8 %), 6,175 were Christians arrested without trial (up 44,3%) and 3,829 kidnapped (up 123,9%)
These people don’t live in the same region, or even on the same continent. But they share an important characteristic: They are all Christians, and they suffer because of their faith. While Christian persecution takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Jesus Christ. From Sudan to Afghanistan, from Nigeria to North Korea, from Colombia to India, followers of Christianity are targeted for their faith.
We know quite well that persecution of Christians are not limited to Asian and African countries. In the Western and Arab worlds, persecution of Christians as under reported. They don’t make the headlines sometimes. Christians are attacked; they are discriminated against at work and at school; they risk sexual violence, torture, arrest and much more.
These numbers reported by WWL and IRF are heart-breaking. And yet, they do not tell the whole story.
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” That joy is what we see when we hear and work with Christians all over the world who suffer because they serve Jesus. God cares for His people, and He will never leave or forsake them.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5: 10-12)
“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3: 17)
When we are faced with persecution or even death, we remember the words of Jesus that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, will testify on our behalf and we are also to testify.
Let continue to keep our brothers and sisters in various parts of the world who are understanding any forms of persecution in our prayers. May we be steadfast in the face of ours. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in this battle…
