The Lord said to his disciples, “Beware of men who will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Our Lord is preparing His disciples for the trials and persecution they will face in their mission to spread the Gospel. Christ doesn’t sugarcoat the path of a true disciple. He warns that we will face not only opposition from the world but even from our closest family and friends. The message is clear: following Jesus Christ isn’t about worldly comfort or security. Instead, being a true disciple is about complete fidelity to Him and His Way, no matter the cost. The persecution we experience, or will experience, is a testimony to our faith and commitment to Christ, showing that we don’t belong to this world, but to Him.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus also tells us not to rehearse or plan what we’ll say when questioned. Remember how the false religious leaders tried to trap our Lord in His responses. Christ is telling us to trust completely in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In moments of trial, we shouldn’t rely on our own intellect or eloquence but have faith that the Lord Himself will give us the words we need. We are not left on our own in times of difficulty. Christ promises His divine wisdom, which will confound those who oppose His message. This should give us courage in our daily lives, trusting that God will provide for us in every situation, especially when we stand up for His truth.

I find Christ’s statement that “not a hair of your head will perish” deeply reassuring. We can see this as a declaration of the Lord’s sovereignty and care for His faithful followers. Though we may face suffering, and possibly death, in this life, our ultimate salvation is secure as long as we remain faithful to Christ and His Way. Through endurance, we gain eternal life. The world may take much from us, but it can’t take away the promise of life in Christ. Many faithful from the past embraced persecution as a path to deeper faith and a stronger witness to the world. True endurance comes from our unwavering commitment to Christ, knowing that in the end, He is victorious—and so are we.

— Andrew