But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in the hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. - Mark 13:9-13
Jesus warned his apostles, the first Bishops of the Catholic Church He would establish, that following him and preaching his gospel would lead to persecution. “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” With the impending Supreme Court ruling that may overturn Roe v Wade, and the fact that June has become known as “Pride month”, the Catholic Church is under attack from multiple foes for her steadfast moral stance.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on June 7 that included the following: “In the coming months, DHS expects the threat environment to become more dynamic as several high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence against a range of possible targets. These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, schools, racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents.”
In Nigeria, a Catholic Church was attacked by Islamic forces on Pentecost Sunday, killing at least fifty worshippers attending Mass. We can no longer assume acts of violence against Christians, and specifically Catholics, are limited to other parts of the world. Even the Catholic Supreme Court justices are being targeted in anticipation of the abortion ruling.
In Eastpointe, Michigan, a nearly naked woman interrupted Sunday Mass last week by standing on a pew shouting pro-abortion slogans. Catholicvote reports at least 138 attacks on Catholic Churches since 2020 including the theft of vandalism of tabernacles. Can we depend on a pro-abortion government to protect us when these protests turn violent? We may need to post guards to protect our churches and the safety of worshippers.
Yes, Our Lord warned us we would be hated for preaching the gospel. A Godless society that has lost respect for human life does not want to hear the truth. Without the light of Christ to lead the way, dark days lie ahead. Now is the time to stand firm. He who endures to the end will be saved.
