Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.  (John 16:2b-4a)

It is with a sad heart that I undertake my quarterly task of composing a devotion for our Running in Faith ministry. Anyone who has been paying attention has heard of the recent (and unfortunately annually-timed around Christmas) ritual violence committed against our fellow Christians worldwide. In recent weeks, news accounts list 68 dead in Iraq, 80 dead in Nigeria, 21 killed in Egypt, and 6 wounded in the Philippines. Upon further reading into the spate of attacks, I discovered an ominous pattern occurring in many other corners of the world. Violence, persecution, and repression are actively taking place in India, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and China. I am sure my list is not exhaustive. News reports list such anti-Christian rhetoric as "destroying the cross", and advice such as "Blow up the churches while they are celebrating Christmas or any other time when the churches are packed." Seemingly, governments around the world are becoming helpless or impotent to safeguard these targeted communities. And as sad as murder and violence is in any context, it is in the context of individuals being killed merely because they call themselves Christian that makes this state of affairs so horrible.
 
Now, to be fair, Christian history is rife with violence committed upon those of other faiths (or seemingly lacking one in the case of aboriginal Americans and Australians), or even the horrendous crime of killing fellow Christians of a different persuasion than one's own. But for the huge majority of Christians this is a despised relic of the past. But now Christians find themselves back in the situation of 17, 18, 19, and 20 centuries ago in the Roman Empire, being hunted down for their faith.
 
What reason can be found for this? I have read opinions to the effect that in the view of non-Western peoples, Christianity is identified more with Western capitalism, American hegemony, and such, than a true religion. Note, however, that the targets listed were in non-Western countries! Are they suffering vicariously for us because of the easier access to violence in these places compared with Europe and America?
 
I have no answer to offer, I only hope that God will once again come to the aid of his people, a remnant of Israel. And remember what Jesus himself told us at his arrest,"Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matt. 26:52), or previously in the Sermon, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also." (Matt. 5:38-39)
 
I will end with the words of St. Peter, which are both sobering and yet ultimately hopeful. God help us.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?" Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Contributed by David
Sunday January 16, 2011
Liturgical Year A: Week 8
Liturgical Color: White
Sunday Gospel reading:
Second Sunday after the Epiphany