Persevering Faith

[tonyg]

Mark 1:
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a load cry came out of him.
All around us today, we are confronted on a daily bases with those who find it necessary to ridicule our Christian faith and way of life. Why? Because it poses such a threat to their way of life; they must condemn everything attached to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The evil spirit knew fully, even before he questioned our Lord, that yes, the Christ had come to destroy sin and death. This was true then, over two thousand years ago and is true in our modern world today. It was the evils spirits who screamed before Pilate, crucify him! Crucify him! The same is true today, that is why the word of God is being taken out of our public schools and every other aspect of our lives. The forces of evil are screaming out one last time against everything that is righteous and holy. To be brief and put it simply, yes, Jesus did come to destroy and conquer sin and death. We must stand firm in our faith, pick up our cross daily and forge ahead. And when we are confronted and ridiculed for our faith, let us stand erect, and hold our head high; the rewards for our perseverance are awaiting us in heaven.

 

[North_of_Nod]

I agree. I am taking summer classes at a local college, and one of my professors despises Christianity (the Catholic Church in particular). She makes disparaging remarks about the Church and mocks Jesus. This is an English composition class, so the subject of religion should not even be coming up. She talks about the Bible at every opportunity, spewing all kinds of blasphemy. Perhaps the saddest thing is that my fellow classmates laugh and mock along with her. It seems that she’s bringing others down with her. It makes me sick to see Christ and His Church ridiculed like that, but I will continue to pray that they see the Truth. In a world where evil abounds, prayer is our greatest weapon.

 

[tonyg]

I agree. I am taking summer classes at a local college, and one of my professors despises Christianity (the Catholic Church in particular). She makes disparaging remarks about the Church and mocks Jesus. This is an English composition class, so the subject of religion should not even be coming up. She talks about the Bible at every opportunity, spewing all kinds of blasphemy. Perhaps the saddest thing is that my fellow classmates laugh and mock along with her. It seems that she’s bringing others down with her. It makes me sick to see Christ and His Church ridiculed like that, but I will continue to pray that they see the Truth. In a world where evil abounds, prayer is our greatest weapon.

I have two children; my son just graduated from college in May and my daughter will be starting her second year in the fall. My son attended a private University run by a Catholic religious order and my daughter attends a Catholic University. I will tell you that you are not alone, they faced many of the same difficulties that you are facing now; but that’s alright with me. True faith needs to be tested, time and time again. You will make it through because of your obvious strong faith; and because you were tasted, your faith will become even stronger. Remember there may be one or two fellow students sitting in class laughing along because they are afraid of being ridiculed as well. You may be just the tool used by our Lord to win them over to him because they see in you what is missing around them, conviction! God bless you, persevere in tour studies and in your faith, believe me you are not alone. Peace

 

[North_of_Nod]

I have two children; my son just graduated from college in May and my daughter will be starting her second year in the fall. My son attended a private University run by a Catholic religious order and my daughter attends a Catholic University. I will tell you that you are not alone, they faced many of the same difficulties that you are facing now; but that’s alright with me. True faith needs to be tested, time and time again. You will make it through because of your obvious strong faith; and because you were tasted, your faith will become even stronger. Remember there may be one or two fellow students sitting in class laughing along because they are afraid of being ridiculed as well. You may be just the tool used by our Lord to win them over to him because they see in you what is missing around them, conviction! God bless you, persevere in tour studies and in your faith, believe me you are not alone. Peace

Thanks, tonyg. That really means a lot to me. You’re right - faith needs to be strengthened by constant testing and prayer. I just wish it wasn’t so unpleasant sometimes. One thing this class has really taught me is to pray more frequently for others and to rely upon our Lord for strength. It’s really been an eye-opening experience. I have a feeling that the students who laugh have had bad experiences either with some Christians. Their aggression toward religion is very telling in and of itself. Perhaps they encountered someone they didn’t care for and made generalizations.

God bless.

 

[Mark77]

**“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
**
We all want the easy way out, to be admired and loved for our Faith, but it is just the opposite. Enjoy the hate and ridicule and all of the shame because you love Jesus!

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace.** In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33**)

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[Tyuiop411]

Yeah it’s pretty sad that everyone ridicules the Church and Christ but just persevere and pray for them i had the same problem in my school this year the class was Philosophy but still open ridicule by the teacher is uncalled for no matter what school you attend.

 

[North_of_Nod]

Yeah it’s pretty sad that everyone ridicules the Church and Christ but just persevere and pray for them i had the same problem in my school this year the class was Philosophy but still open ridicule by the teacher is uncalled for no matter what school you attend.

Those philosophy classes are the worst. They try to reason their way out of believing in God, which is just about all this lit class is about too. I think it’s absurd that a teacher leads those kinds of discussions. I guess she really doesn’t care who she offends.

 

[North_of_Nod]

**“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
**
We all want the easy way out, to be admired and loved for our Faith, but it is just the opposite. Enjoy the hate and ridicule and all of the shame because you love Jesus!

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace.** In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33**)

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

I really love those quotes. They bring a lot of peace and reassurance.