When we look at today's world, although there are many signs of the presence of God, there are still many signs of people denying this presence. The biggest sign of people denying the presence of God is when people are persecuted innocently, when people are discriminated against without any reason, when people are oppressed.

When we look at children being neglected or being sent out in the streets without proper care, that is persecution of the innocent.

When we look at people dying simply because there isn't any medicine to cure them, that is discrimination.

When we look at peasants not being paid for their crops because someone has embezzled all their money, that is oppression.

When we hear of young people completing standard seven, form four, or even University without being able to find work, that is persecution of the innocent.

When we look at people killing each other to the point of forcing the innocent to leave their homes to save their lives, that is persecution of the innocent.

When we hear of workers being paid salaries that only suffice for the necessities of one week of the month, that is persecution of the innocent.

In these people, Jesus has shown his love and salvation. During his lifetime, he always showed his sympathy to the helpless, oppressed and all the innocent who suffered persecutions. He denied himself glory, status and wealth. Instead, he agreed to be persecuted innocently. He agreed to be ill treated to a point of having a crown of thorns placed on his head. He agreed to be persecuted innocently until death. He did all that to reveal to us the secret of salvation and the good news which as missionaries we are called to proclaim.

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John's Biography             John's Reflections

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