November 13
The persecuted Church
hrist sends the
Holy Spirit upon the believers as they are all gathered together in one
place, waiting with expectant longing for the promised gift. And as soon
as they are filled with the Holy Spirit, they begin to speak in the language
of every nation, to refute errors boldly, to preach the saving truth of
the gospel, to urge men and women to repent of their former sinful lives,
and to promise them the grace of God's forgiveness. Their proclamation
for the true religion and of God's loving kindness is confirmed by signs
and wonders. Unbelievers stir up cruel persecution against them. They endure
what they have been warned to expect, they hope for what they have been
promised, and they teach what they have been commanded. Few in number,
they are no sooner dispersed throughout the world than they convert whole
peoples with marvelous ease; in the midst of their enemies they grow in
strength. Persecution multiples them; no suffering, no trial can hinder
them from spreading to the very ends of the earth. Once a despised handful
of ignorant people, they become a noble company of enlightened teachers,
brilliantly gifted and of polished speech, who press into Christ's service
for the preaching of the gospel all the skill and experience of the wise,
the eloquent, and the learned.
From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from
Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.
HTML text prepared by David P. Steelman
