Sunday of the Holy Fathers
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-19
No one likes to be mistreated or taken advantage of in life—whether it’s by another driver at the traffic light, by our boss at work, or by our neighbors who always play their music too loud on a Saturday night.
When we feel we’re being walked on, our instinct is to take back control, to assert our rights, demand justice, and cancel anyone who’s against us. Absalom, the son of King David, did just this by unlawfully avenging his sister when she was abused.
But if we’re not careful, we can become a tyrant, and this is exactly what happened to Absalom. In the end, his actions led to a breakdown of relationships, the loss of his own life, and immense grief for his father, David.
The Good News is that Christ ends this cycle of tyranny. He says, “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Instead of seeking revenge, we rejoice and refuse to play the devil’s game. This breaks the cycle and demonstrates God’s glory.
And, despite our suffering, God doesn’t turn away from us. He has promised that when we are persecuted for His sake, our reward will be great in Heaven. God is the final judge, and He will set all things right.
In the meantime, though, our persecution becomes a light to the world. We are a beacon of hope to others who suffer. Through us, the world sees how powerful our God truly is.