10 June 2024 Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily
At the time when the Gospels were written, that is, when the memories of those who had known Jesus and had been his disciples were collected by the four Evangelists we know - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - after these writings had circulated first orally and then in small detached written accounts, the first Christians were already suffering persecution. We can therefore understand the importance given in these Gospels to the last beatitude: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake...", as well as the way it is elaborated: “Blessed are you if you are insulted, if you are persecuted... rejoice, be glad...”. At the time, the tensions were between the authorities of the traditional Jewish religion and the nascent Christianity, which was seen as a new sect and a threat.