It is very hard for me, as an american to imagine these things happening in this day and age, and never having been to a country that does not protect the individual’s right to religious freedom, I can not fathom how the people there find the ability to cope under such conditions.
It makes me think of the beatitudes, and they are promised to be blessed… it makes me think of how their sufferings may be something that can bring them to the closest why of being “with Jesus” in a sense, as he was in his sufferings, I have to say it is causing me to have so many feelings about it, and tears.
I give so little thought to those in conditions like this, and it helps me to see this.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
I have not even attempted to imagine them, let alone bear them…
How much I have to learn!
I am trying to fight the urge to hate the people doing this, and I can only see right now repeating this verse over and over again to help me:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Matt 5:44
Praying for all christians in Vietnam, and especially for the catholic christians in this situation.