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| (Priests and others made to sit on the floor of the police station) |
Christians are the highly persecuted human race under the sun. Even though it is a painful fact, it must be regarded as a matter of delight for every Christian (believer of Christ) as he/she is getting a rare opportunity to get a small share of the Master's suffering for being and doing good and the reward for which will be unimaginably very high . The Church which received formation with the Precious and Holy Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ grew with the blood of many virtuous martyrs. With an intention to finish off the Christian faith many emperors, kings and principalities in the history of the world have very cruelly persecuted the early Christians whose innocent blood not only helped them receive their 'special rewards' in heaven, but also helped greatly in the spread of Christian Faith on earth. Had hired hit-man Samandar Singh of Madhya Pradesh not stabbed to death Sr. Rani Maria in 1995, how would have she received the great honor and title of 'Blessed Martyr' both in Heaven and on earth?
Ever since Modi's BJP government came to power in India (though there were religious persecutions reported earlier too), the level of persecution on minorities particularly Christians has been rising steeply as per the statistics and reports.
With such heinous incidents that are not condemned or dealt with firmly by the rulers or officials, the image of the country in the international arena is terribly being damaged. According to OpenDoorsUsa.org, the persecution rank of Christians has reached 15 in India since the present government came to power in 2014. It is quite surprising to note that the situation in India which is known as the largest democratic and secular country in the world is just few levels after notorious and trouble-torn countries with dictators like North Korea, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan etc. It also surprises that the persecution level on Christians in India is higher than China..! It is reported that an attack on Christians is recorded every 40 hours in India..!
Christians while being tormented on behalf of their Faith, must remember the Words of God listed below which will minimize their pains. If intolerant rulers like Narendra Damodardas Modi who is a product of right-wing RSS, and cowardly and corrupt officials do not support silently these fanatics, how then will the Holy Word of God accomplish?
Dear beloved persecuted Christian, please offer your sufferings for the sake of God's Kingdom. Pray for your persecutors as the Lord did:
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
The rewards the Lord is keeping ready for those who bear even a small amount of insult or pain is beyond our imagination. It is very very big...!
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me..." (Matt. 5:11-12).
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John. 15:18).
"Do not be surprised my brothers and sisters if the world hates you" (1 John 3:13).
Please ponder over these Holy Words of God through St Peter (1 Peter 4:12-17), the first Pope of the Church:
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name".
Let all the Christians world-wide pray for their suffering brethren so that they may get grace to bear all the pains and also pray for their abusers for their conversion of mind like St Paul. Please avoid all sins that no one will be punished as a criminal, as the Divine Word above warns.
