The Gospel today speaks bluntly about persecution. The world will hate you, Jesus tells us. This theme of persecution especially resonates with us in this time of pandemic. Trials, suffering, and isolation loom large, and perhaps our present situation affords us an opportunity to reflect on the suffering that comes with persecution. In light of the Gospel, today’s psalm seems at first glance a little out of place: the psalmist tells “all the earth” to “cry out to God with joy.” But where can we find joy in the face of persecution and suffering?

St. Peter tells us that persecution “gives you a share in Christ’s sufferings, and that is a cause for joy; and when his glory is revealed, your joy will be triumphant” (1 Peter 4:14). In the Gospel, Jesus assures us that we never suffer alone: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” By sharing in his Cross, we share in his Resurrection.

Even in light of this promise, I remember being rather dumbfounded in high school when we learned about the early Christian martyrs. Our teacher told us that in the early Church, people were sometimes so eager be martyred that the Church leaders had to tell them that they shouldn’t purposefully get themselves killed, and I remember thinking the zeal of the want-to-be martyrs somewhat ridiculous. But perhaps those early Christians saw something in martyrdom and persecution that I didn’t, namely, an opportunity for evangelization. After all, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. If another cause of joy amidst persecution is evangelization, our attitude towards our persecutors must be one of love.

It is all too easy for me to dismiss those who disagree with my faith as “outsiders” with whom I grow frustrated and angry. But Jesus tells us that people will persecute us “because they do not know the one who sent me.” Instead of harboring animosity to those who persecute us, the Gospel invites us to a compassionate understanding of other people’s ignorance through patient witness to the Truth that saves. The offer of salvation is extended to all, and it is our job as Christians to illuminate the darkness of ignorance. We are therefore exhorted to bring others, especially those who persecute us, to the knowledge of Christ. This message of evangelization is expressed in the first reading’s recounting of St. Paul’s proclamation of the Good News around the world.

In this valley of tears, then, let us find joy in our trials and persecution, knowing that the Cross leads to salvation and that our faithful witness brings our persecutors closer to salvation.