Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of (Luke 21: 12-19) in which Jesus tells the disciples that no matter what they face, he will give them words and wisdom that their adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict.

Fr Paul says today’s reading is almost a summary of the Acts of the Apostles: maltreatment in synagogues, imprisonments (the Apostles at Jerusalem, Paul in Thessalonika), being hauled before governors and kings (Paul before Festus, Felix, and Herod Agrippa) on account of Christ’s name, because to give Christ the name of Lord rather than the emperor was a distinguishing mark of Christians and a passport to persecution as a witness to Christ.

Being hated by all is almost shorthand for Paul’s account of his own journeying ‘in danger from brigands, in danger from my own people and in danger from the gentiles…in danger from people masquerading as brothers’ which he describes in 2 Corinthians 12.

In Mark’s version it will be the Holy Spirit speaking in them; today in Luke’s version Jesus himself will give them speech and the gift wisdom.

These dangers and trials did not come to an end in the first century; they have continued throughout Christian history, and all the time it is the virtue of perseverance that is vital.

In light of today’s Gospel, Fr Paul says, we might reflect on the virtual of perseverance in our own lives.