“So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”
To a worldly mentality, this verse from the Act of the Apostles is pure nonsense. How can someone rejoice because he was found worthy to suffer dishonor? A worldly mentality would be interested if the verse read, “so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to receive honor for the sake of the name.”
How can Peter and the apostles rejoice after suffering dishonor? They do not just “put up with dishonor” or “offer it up” but they rejoice.
The answer to this question is found in the words of Christ himself: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. They will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”
This being the case, why do we become surprised when the Church is attacked? Why do we become surprised when the Gospel is undermined? Why do we become surprised when deliberate distortions, lies and persecution rage?”
Rather than responding with anger or hatred, rather than just putting up with it or offering it up, Christ calls us to rejoice in the dishonor we suffer for the sake of his name. It makes us stronger, more faithful disciples because it molds us to be more like our Savior.
This is why the church throughout its history has considered giving up your life for the sake of Christ the greatest honor and most perfect witness of faithful discipleship. There is no greater honor for a Christian than the honor to suffer the same fate as the Savior, also fully aware that just as Christ rose from the dead, he or she will rise in glory.
Christ does not want us to go looking for situations to be dishonored, Christ does not want us to go looking for death, He simply calls us to preach the Gospel. Many will hear and believe, but others will not and they will dishonor believers. Preaching the Gospel will bring us enough dishonor, perhaps even from a family member or a friend when we voice an unpopular opinion or take an unpopular stand.
To the world this is nonsense, but the Holy Spirit gives us the fortitude, strength and courage to desire it.
After receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles were able to rejoice over their dishonor, but before receiving the Holy Spirit they responded very differently to adversity. After the crucifixion of Christ, we hear the Gospel passage narrate, Peter and the apostles went fishing in Galilee. Their response to the execution of Jesus was to turn to their work, to drown their sorrow, disillusionment and pain in their work. But that night they caught nothing. Remaining sorrowful and gloomy when faced with adversity led to no catch.
When we face adversity and dishonor, God calls us to rejoice. May we always rejoice in our sufferings, trails and adversities trusting fully that Jesus Christ is with us and he will share with us the moment of resurrection. Rejoice always, even in the face of dishonor, rejoice for the Lord is always near!
[from Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C]
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