Go on speaking

In today’s first reading (Acts 18:9-18), Paul is about to be brought to court for preaching Christ.

The Lord speaks words of encouragement to him:

Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking,
and do not be silent,
for I am with you.

In this particular case, the tribunal refuses to involve itself in matters of religious doctrine.

Later, of course, the secular authorities would involve themselves: Paul would be taken into custody, imprisoned, deported, and executed.

But the truth of what Paul spoke would endure, flourish and spread. The people and the regime that sought to suppress him would themselves crumble into dust.

In the world today we may often encounter opposition, sometimes with the force of law and sometimes just by the oppression of a wayward culture.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speaks words of encouragement to us:

Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking,
and do not be silent,
for I am with you.