Tuesday June 8, 2021 - Saint Jacques Berthieu - If you are insulted for the name of Christ, happy are you, because the Spirit of God rests on you - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15, 18-21

Dear Christians, the Church celebrates Saint Jacques Berthieu today, especially us in Madagascar. We are not going to extend to redo his biography, but take advantage of the Word of God from time to time. Yesterday, Jesus spoke to us about happiness to begin his teaching according to Matthew and Jacques Berthieu lived in accordance with these teachings, hence his access to the rank of saints of the Church. What about our desire?

Jesus said: "Happy are you if you are insulted, if you are persecuted and if all kinds of evil are said falsely against you, because of me." Such lived many martyrs and saints including Father Jacques Berthieu, because his testimony of the Risen Christ is not only sanctioned with hatred and persecution, he even lost his life by shedding his blood, which subsequently, fertilized the ground where faith has been able to flourish until now. Carrying the name of Christ which is worth to us the hatred of this world is a grace that we received at our baptism and differentiates us from this world.

Certainly, we live in this world, and cannot detach ourselves from it, but we are not of this world, so let us put our trust in the Risen Christ as well as in the Holy Spirit, whom by his resurrection he has already conquered this world. Of course, persecution in all its forms does not disappear, but Jesus has already warned us, through the Gospel we have just heard, that this world loves what is its own and hates what is not his. Once again and always, let us put our trust in Christ, who made us children of God, that he is constantly with us, to protect and comfort us. Finally, may Saint Jacques Berthieu intercede for us, so that we do not fear the pitfalls that may mark out our journey in faith and in our efforts to bear witness to Christ.