Colors of Light

"Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This is an altogether supernatural beatitude, which is practically understood only by souls enlightened by God. There are, moreover, many spiritual degrees in this state, from that of the good Christian who begins to suffer for having acted well, obeyed, and given good example, up to the martyr who dies for the faith. This beatitude applies to those who, converted to a better life, encounter only opposition in their surroundings.

This beatitude is the most perfect because it is that of those who are most clearly marked in the image of Jesus crucified. To remain humble, meek, and merciful in the midst of persecution, even toward persecutors, and in this torment not only to preserve peace but to communicate it to others, is truely the perfection of the Christian life. It is realized especially in the last trials undergone by the perfect souls which God purifies by making them work for the salvation of their neighbor.

Christ insists on the reward promised to those who thus suffer for justice: "Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruely, for my sake. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven."

Inspired by these words, the martyrs and saints were "the salt of the earth," "the light of the world," and they built their houses not on sand but on rock, houses that have been able to weather all storms and have not been overthrown.