Blessed are you when people reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you for My sake.  – Mt 5:11

Reflection. The martyrs in the days of the Roman persecutions were said to have sung to the glory of God with jubilation.  They were full of the Lord in a way that none of us could possibly imagine.  They were joyful in the face of a cruel death.  “Death, where is your sting?”  (1 Cor 15:55).

Prayer. Lord Jesus, You proclaimed blessed those who suffer for the sake of justice.  Let me be among those great souls.  Help me to be fearless when the going gets rough.