Why the Pharisees Took Offense

The following is from St. John Vianney. He is known as the Curé of Ars and is the patron saint of priests

Why did the Pharisees persecute Jesus and try continually to ensnare him, so as to have a reason for condemning him to death? Did they do it because he was thought wrong? Not at all; they did it because his miracles, poverty, and humility condemned their pride and evil deeds. If we look through Holy Writ we see that from the beginning of the world suffering, reproach,
and mockery were the share of the children of God—that is, of those who strove to lead a God-fearing life….

Why did Cain slay his brother Abel? He slew him because he could not induce him to do wrong, as he did himself. Why did Joseph’s brothers throw him into the cistern? Because his God-fearing life was a reproach to their own dissolute way of living. What caused the persecutions of the apostles, who were continually imprisoned, tortured, and maltreated, so that their life from the death of our Lord on was a continuous martyrdom? They all had to die in a most cruel and painful manner. And what had they done that they should suffer all that? They had sought only the honor of the Lord and the salvation of souls.

If you are reproached, derided, mocked, persecuted, though you have done nothing wrong, so much the better for you. If you have had to undergo no suffering in this world, how will it stand with you before the Lord on the day of Judgment? If you are persecuted and ridiculed and injured, though you have done nothing wrong, you are, indeed, on the right way to heaven. What did the Savior say? “Take up thy cross and follow me; they have persecuted me, they will persecute you; but be not discouraged, rather rejoice, for great
is your reward in heaven. He who is not ready to suffer all things, even to lose his life for love of me, is not worthy of me.”