The announcement of the Kingdom - Jesus today predicts it in no uncertain terms - also involves division and persecution.
"They persecuted me; they will persecute you, too." It is almost a natural consequence. Those truths either lead to conversion or inevitably generate hatred and contempt for those who announce them. Today Jesus projects his speech towards future history by predicting the path of his whole Church. It seems that the apostles are being thrown into the fray.
To all this, Jesus contrasts two virtues; simplicity and prudence. This will enable them to guard against the deceptions of men, particularly those who present themselves in the guise of lambs, but inside are ravenous wolves. The simplicity of the dove serves to fuel total trust in God and the certainty of the assistance of the Holy Spirit. In the face of human errors and plots, the strength of the missionaries of the Church will be the divine light that will allow them to face tribulations of all kinds and refute every error.
The indispensable, most urgent virtue for the followers of Christ is perseverance
: "But whoever perseveres to the end will be saved." And all this in anticipation of the new coming of Christ, and his Kingdom, in the triumph of his Gospel. This is the true history of the Church; she has been living it for two millennia: persecutions and violence were not lacking, all perpetrated on the style of those plotted against Christ himself, but after each persecution, the Church has always emerged more beautiful, ever stronger, ever more holy, ever more fruitful. The blood of the martyrs has strengthened her: belonging to Christ is shone with new splendor.
It still happens in our day. We should not be scandalized to see divisions and struggles. Indeed, we should draw a reason to increase our trust and strengthen our fidelity to the Lord. May God help us to open our lips that our mouths can proclaim His praise not only in joyful thanks, but also in assertively announcing Good News to others.
Blessed day!
Abba Meskel