On Persecution

+JMJ+

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 9, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI joined Jews around the world in remembering the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or "Night of Broken Glass."

After reciting the Angelus together with the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope lamented the Nazi program that killed or arrested thousands of Jews and destroyed synagogues during the nights of Nov. 9-10, 1938.

"Nazi fury was unleashed against the Jews in Germany," he explained. "Shops, offices, dwellings and synagogues were attacked and many people were also killed, initiating the systematic and violent persecution of German Jews, which ended with the Shoah."

"Today I still feel pain over what happened in those tragic circumstances," the Pontiff said. "The memory of these things must serve to prevent similar horrors from ever happening again and must lead us to dedicate ourselves, at every level, to fight against every form of anti-Semitism and discrimination, educating the younger generations in respect and reciprocal acceptance.

"I invite you to pray for the victims of that time and to join with me in manifesting a deep solidarity with the Jewish world."

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I remember first learning about Kristallnacht when I was an undergraduate. I'd always been fascinated by WWII History and horrified by Nazi atrocities. Of course, this one sticks out among others.

It also reminds me of the persecution men and women have faced for their faith. We know today Christians are being persecuted around the world, especially in Iraq, India and China. I heard a priest reflect on this during his homily today...and I couldn't help but think--how fortunate these persecuted men and women are!

Now, you may be thinking--am I crazy? Did I just type that I believe the Christians being tormented and killed for their Faith are fortunate? Yes, I did...and I will explain.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Christ says, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) This relates to the persecution our brothers and sisters face today in the East. They are standing up in the midst of suffering and laying down their lives for Christ. They do not fear...because Christ is their strength...and they Trust in His promise of Eternal Life.

I submit that in the United States we are under a more severe form of persecution. We are in the midst of a spiritual war waged against the Mystical Body of Christ. This war concerns the "One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

In the U.S. today, a majority of men and women have bought the lie of moral relativism. This has lead many along the road to perdition. We are suffering a cultural persecution on Christianity...and many men and women, instead of standing with Christ...are bowing to the idols of lust and relativism. Many have lost soul and body in hellfire, and many more are in great danger of this most undesirable end.

In the United States...and in the West...we face the most drastic and deadly persecution--a persecution against our Eternal Salvation, that is under the guise of 'freedom.'

We are blessed to have the witness of our brothers and sisters in the East. We should be humbled by their witness. This witness should cause us to pause and reflect on where, in our lives, have we bought the lie of relativism...and where are we in danger of loosing the battle? Where are we in danger of bowing to false idols that can lead to eternal damnation?

This is not a joke...it is not insanity...this is reality. Plain and simple. And, I believe it is something we need to bring into the light. I hear people talk about how men and women may be persecuted for their faith in Christ in the U.S.--well, the thing is, we already are being persecuted. There are things like taking prayer out of school...and more deadly things, like destroying our moral code and wiring us to beleive that anything goes...and the only place anything goes will lead to is Hell.

May we seek strength in Christ to overcome this persecution, as the enemy of our souls seeks to destroy us. Christ is our strength, He is our Hope, and through His Divine Mercy, we can know Eternal Joy. But, we must desire it...and we must strive for it in all of our thoughts, words and actions.