BLESSED ARE THEY WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

INTRO As we come to celebrate the eight day of novena we are here to remember the persecutions that we face in the name of Christ. Are you ready to suffer for Christ? Today we are called to suffer persecution, shame and injustice for being a Christian. Who are the persecuted today? These are the people who are persecuted on account of “Me” • who stand up for Jesus, who stand up against un-Christian values They are willing to give up or lose their life for the sake of the Gospel;And have the courage to do what is right at all times Let us take a flash through history 2000 years ago to see the martyrs who gave each drop of their blood for their faith. “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you…… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you……..They will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know HIM who sent me”. (John 15:18 – 21) St.Thomas – First Christian martyr. “Asathoma Sathgamaya , Thamasoma Jyothirgamaya, Mrutyoma Amrutam gamaya” The ancient sages prayed longing for the ultimate truth, light and life… • St.Thomas, the disciple of Jesus brought Christianity to India. In the year AD52, he reached the port of Cranganore, Kerala . • He healed the sick, did many miracles for the needy and preached the good news of Jesus, “I am the Light of the world, the Way, the Truth and the Life”. • He became a martyr in AD72 near Chennai. “Father in heaven, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”- He repeated the prayer of Jesus for those who crucified him. Christianity in India was founded on the blood of St.Thomas. Let us now see the Cruel Indian Story which happened in our own country to our own people for the sake of Christ From a land that respect and worship women Just one of the many examples in recent years Gandhiji’s Murders are destroying the Christian community Gandhiji taught – Ishware, alla tere naam… sabko summat, Hey Bhagavan Bapuji, Will they ever realize that all are children of the same God They think Creator of the universe need blood and rape of nuns They brand Christians like untouchables The Week of Nightmares (December 2007)  Death – 6, Houses burnt & looted – 500,Shops, commercial properties – 126  Destruction:Parish churches – 5, Village Churches – 48,Convents – 5  Hostels – 7,Leprosy centre -1 ,Vocational Training Centre – 1  Vehicles – not surveyed,Animals killed – not surveyed Still Counting…. (violence 2008) Death confirmed: 45  priests/ pastors/ nuns seriously .injured: 10  Priests kidnapped : 2 Houses demolished in 160 villages : 4300 Institutions/ schools destroyed : 7 Churches/Chapels : 101 Convents and hostels: 14  Residences of priests : 5 Dispensaries : 2 Vocational Training Centres : 3  Shops : 126 Vehicles burnt / destroyed: 43 The Forest was the only refuge for the roofless and voiceless….. Shops & Houses Owned by Christians were charred to the ground. About 50,000 people fled to the forests ( imagine you stuck alone in the forest – fear and no food/shelter ) What is happening today? 12,000 persons in the refugees camps  Little medical care, No rehabilitation taking place  40,000 people still hiding in forests On return: No Christian Leader is allowed to visit. Supporters of fundamentalists get further access. Many people are indirectly forced to forsake faith. Christian Organizations are not allowed to do relief works………. WHEREAS……In the Super Cyclone & other natural calamities Christian NGOs and church groups were first to set up relief and rehabilitation works in Orissa Orissa is not alone…. Hate and Crimes against Christians are appearing in several states  Prominent are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka On single day Sep. 14th 2008 in Karnataka ( “Bangalore” is in this state- sadly ungrateful leaders) .14 churches attacked, Blessed Sacrament desecrated, statues broken, even cloistered nuns were not spared Those who escaped the attacks…. Unknown destiny.. With last straw of faith Leaping out of Memories Doctor Graham Stains and children burnt to death in Manoharpur. He was running a leprosy hospital. Tomb of Sr. Rani Maria In MP, with 52 stabbing she had the courage to say - “I forgive and pray for you”, said the sister to the killer while dying. Grace Nayak & family beaten up in MP Gajraula – gangrape of nuns What do the religions teach? “Go into all lands and preach this gospel. Tell them that the poor and the lowly, the rich and the high are one”. - The Buddha “You must go out to preach your religion, preach it to every nation under the sun”.- Swami Vivekananda “May the active be Glorifying God, arising all” (Rig Veda 9.63.5) “May I speak these blissful words to my own people and the foreigner” (Yajur Veda 26.1-2 “Go and proclaim the good news to all creations”. - Jesus Christ “For this purpose was I born, and to spread this religion God appointed me”.Guru Govind Singh Christian Response to Persecution – “Father, Forgive them” “My husband and our children have sacrificed their lives for the nation of India. India is my home” - Gladis Stains “I praise God that my father and my brothers are found worthy to die for Christ” Esther Stains Faith in God is all that they have left. Christians demands protection of their fundamental rights. Christians seek support from all right-thinking citizens of this country irrespective of caste and religion The persecuted church in India waits the day of Resurrection!!! Oh God, our Father, let your Spirit enlighten us to understand that all human beings, irrespective of race, caste and creed, are your children. As Jesus taught us, let ‘truth make us free’ from all prejudices, hatred and violence, transforming our society into a family of love, joy and peace. We make this prayer through your beloved son and our Lord, Jesus Christ, AMEN. My dear friend, Hope you will try to make a difference so that… Lessons for Today Early Christians could have avoided persecution by simply incorporating pagan worship (e.g., worshiping Caesar) into Christian practice However, they didn’t. Unlike the society around them, they believed in truth and were prepared to defend it with their lives. Greek philosophy had eroded confidence in Gods which led to religious pluralism. Today Christians are in an analogous situation we are pressured by society to accept religious pluralism we are seen as foolish and narrow-minded to think we have the truth Society has tacitly excepted religious pluralism We must be willing to stand up for truth in the face of more benign adversity No blessing on those who suffer because they have done wrong, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters” (1 Peter 4:15).Persecution for Christ is laudable, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16). Persecution will happen! (Acts 14:21-22; 2 Tim. 3:12) In being one of Jesus’ disciples, each person takes up his cross daily (Luke 9:23).The cross stands for the suffering involved in living for Christ (Mat 10:21-22). The Christian gladly endures persecution for the sake of righteousness knowing that no form of persecution can separate him from God’s love and promise of salvation (Rom. 8:35-39; cf. Mat. 5:10-12).