EPIPHANY MONDAYLESSON: 1 PETER 3:13‒17 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10It is a good thing for us that God so rules and orders matters that the Sacrament should not be without persecution. For He instituted it that it might be a password and distinguishing mark of Christianity whereby we may be recognized. For if we did not have it, we would not know where Christians are to be found, who the Christians are, and where the Gospel is bearing fruit. But when men attend the Sacrament, we can see who those are who have given ear to the Gospel, and we can also observe whether they lead Christian lives. The Sacrament is a distinguishing mark from which it can be seen that we confess God’s name and are not ashamed of His Word. When I go to the Sacrament and receive it under both the bread and the wine, I am bearing witness to the fact that I am taking the Gospel quite seriously. If we want to confess Christ, we must receive the Sacrament in both kinds, so that men may know that we are Christians with a deep concern for the truth of God’s Word. If we lose our life in this confession, we must suffer this, knowing that God will make a more than adequate recompense to us as far as life is concerned. It is quite in order for us to suffer persecution here. If we found nothing but honor everywhere, we would never find ourselves in a truly confessional situation. So we remain in our normal sphere, incurring shame and disgrace. Sometimes we are even threatened with death for the Lord’s sake, as was the case also in the early Church.SL.XI.591,15PRAYER: We thank and praise You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for the great honor and distinction You bestow upon us in regarding us as worthy to suffer and even die for Your sake, in and through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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