Will you stand up when called to?

   As Christians, we are called to stand up for Jesus every day.  We cannot stand by as Jesus is mocked or desecrated and be counted among those that love Jesus.  If you love someone, you will defend them.  And if Jesus is ‘The Truth’, then we are called to stand up for the truth as we stand up for Jesus.

   Many early Christians had their courage to stand up tested.  Many died rather than even say that they deny Jesus.  Those would be the early saints that the Church was strengthened by.  Witnessing the deaths of these early saints caused many conversions.  There are even situations in which one of the persecutors joined the Christians and died with them.

   Oftentimes, we do not stand up for Jesus because we fear what others would say.  Are we to allow others to treat Jesus like this?  Do we fear popular opinion when the early saints faced certain death?  The comforts in our lives have made us soft.  We all fear even mentioning the name Jesus to someone, as if they would be offended.  Indeed, the One who is offended is Jesus upon seeing us deny mentioning Him to others.

   Sure, there is a time and place for certain things.  Deep theological conversions cannot happen in 30 seconds.  However, we cannot deny Jesus before others and expect for Jesus to accept us into Heaven with triumph.  “[W]hoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” – [Matthew 10:33]

   Mary, you accepted Jesus at every moment, even when it pained you greatly watching Him die on the Cross. Help us to always accept Jesus into our hearts and share Him in love with others. Amen.