We live in a country in which the vast majority of people identify themselves as believers in a higher power. The majority of American citizens believe in God.
Among those believers, the highest percentage would call themselves Christians. The largest single Christian denomination would be Catholic.

Most around us are Christian, at least nominally. Then why is it so difficult to live as a Christian in the world today? Why does the world seem, at times, rather harshly, to reject the values of the Christian and to mitigate violently against the great theological virtues of faith, hope and love? Why are Christians still rejected and dare I say it, persecuted today?

This persecution is subtle, but visible in so many ways. In the media, it’s always open season on the Church. In politics, it always seems easier to vote for the values of this world, rather than the virtues that endure until the world to come? In our interpersonal relationships, when we choose Christ-centered ideals and act according to the life model of Jesus the Christ, we run the risk of being rejected and ridiculed.

This misunderstanding and rejection of those who try to live and preach Christ by their words and actions is obviously nothing new. It happened to the Lord in his lifetime. Think back to the famous Bread of Life discourse in John 6, in which the Evangelist tells us clearly that “…many of his disciples broke away and would not remain in his company any longer.” We see the ultimate rejection in the passion and death of the Messiah.

The rejection continues in the early Church in Acts of the Apostles in which we learn of the beatings that Peter and John endured for the sake of the Holy Name. Stephen the Deacon, the first martyr, has his broken, stoned body as a testimony to the outrage a real Christian can evoke from the world.

In today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles, we read of the joy that living and preaching the Christian way brings. They boldly proclaim the word and many come to believe through their example. And yet, we also read that those who disagree with their teachings stirred up so much trouble for Paul and Barnabas that they were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia.

If the life of a Christian means, at times, misunderstanding and rejection, then why live it? If it’s so difficult, why follow Christ? What guarantee do we have that things will work out? All we have as guarantee is all we need to have – the blessed assurance of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We hear these words of security in John 10.

Jesus is our good and gentle shepherd. We are the sheep of His flock. We will suffer troubles, fears, anxieties and pressures from this world. This is guaranteed.

We, however, have a greater guarantee in the Lord who loves us and cares for us. This gentle Good Shepherd opens His arms wide on the cross in an embrace of love for you and me. There is no snatching us out of His hands. The winds and the storms of the world will, undoubtedly, shake us, but our rock is Christ. May we rejoice, for “we are his people: the sheep of his flock.” (Ps 100)

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter:

First Reading - Acts 13: 14, 43-52
Second Reading - Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
Rv 7:9, 14-17
Jn 10:27-30

Father Cush is on the faculty of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Elmhurst.