Today’s Gospel reminds me of 84-year-old Stan Swamy. As The Guardian wrote, he was a priest and human rights activist who spent five decades fighting for the rights of the poor tribal communities in the state of Jharkhand. He was charged under draconian terrorism laws, jailed in 2020, and died the following year.
While in jail, he wrote: “The sixteen co-accused have not been able to meet each other, as we are lodged in different cells or different ‘circles’ within the same jail. But we will still sing in chorus—a caged bird can still sing.”
Hindus for Human Rights wrote: “His life was a testament of courage, fighting tirelessly for justice even in the face of adversity. He ended up paying the ultimate price, falsely imprisoned and denied medical care.”
Persecution is difficult to reconcile with, especially when one is persecuted for good deeds. How can God allow good people to suffer? God certainly does not desire our suffering; He wants us to be happy. In His love, our Lord took upon Himself our sins on the cross to give us joy.
The call of discipleship for each Christian is also a call to share in the mystery of suffering so that we may both give and receive the joy of Christ. At times, we are called to carry the cross of our neighbors, just as Jesus did for us.
We surrender to our Lord’s words, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”
Rev. George Meze, SJ
I am Fr. Vilezo George Meze SJ, originally from India. I am doing my EdD studies and serve as a spiritual director with Campus Ministry. Before coming to the U.S., I spent a decade working in school administration among Indigenous communities in Northeast India.
