Worthy to suffer dishonor

So (the Apostles) left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found
worthy to suffer dishonor
for the sake of the Name.

There are many whose motto is “death before dishonor.”

Based on today’s first reading (Acts 5:34-42), it would seem that the Apostles are not among them.

As usual, there are some very important distinctions to be made.

One important distinction is the source of the dishonor: whether one dishonors oneself or is dishonored by others.

In the case of the Apostles, of course, they are dishonored by their being beaten like dogs by the Sanhedrin: they do not dishonor themselves by their own words, actions or failures.

A second important distinction is that they have subordinated their honor to the honor of Christ. If their embarrassment, dishonor, or pain brings greater honor and glory to Christ, then so be it. Indeed, as St. Paul would later write (2 Corinthians 1:5):

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings,
so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Indeed, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was himself publicly displayed as a criminal, spit upon and hung up by the side of the road where people could continue to ridicule him as he died a slow death of pain.

No dishonor could be worse, yet this was the path of our salvation, leading to resurrected glory.

That is why the Apostles were able to rejoice “that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name.”

That is why we should never fear any dishonor, humiliation, or embarrassment that the world may inflict upon us for being faithful to Christ.

It is better to be faithful to Christ than to be honored by this world.

It is better to be faithful to Christ than to be respected by our neighbors.

It is better to be faithful to Christ than to be comfortable.

As we hear in today’s Psalm (27:1, 4, 13-14):

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted,
and wait for the LORD.