One of my favorite psalms and songs is Psalm 139. LORD, you have probed me; you know me; you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. But this may have been the psalm that Jesus told the crowd they had misunderstood or been led astray by their rabbis. A few verses from this loving opening, the psalm states, “Do I not hate, Lord, those that hate you? Those who rise against you, do I not loathe?” But these are questions that the psalmist is asking God for answers to: “See if my way is crooked, then lead me in the ancient paths.” Jesus responds to this question, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

How often is my first urge when I feel persecuted to retaliate? I am usually thoughtless and respond with an unkind remark or action that I immediately regret. If only a quick mental prayer would replace my first response. What would that prayer be, to love that person and to pray for them? That prayer would help me to fulfill the words of the gospel today: But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard had a way of removing himself from persecution and relied on God alone to protect him. In the year 1857, the Archbishop of Paris was assassinated. The Archbishop had welcomed Peter Julian and his efforts to establish his Eucharistic Congregation. He realized his protector was gone; he said, “This cruel death bids us look once more to God who wishes to be our only protector.” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard, The Priest of the Eucharist, by Albert Tesnière SSS)

Prayer:

Keep me safe, Oh God, in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, you are my Lord; you are my only good. (Psalm 16:1)