The Holy Hieromartyr Therapontus.
Acts 17:19-28; John 12:19-36.
Read John 12:19-36
Jesus recognized that His upcoming death would be for the glory of His Father. He cared more about glorifying His Father than being spared from suffering. Do we care more about glorifying God our Father by our thoughts, words, and actions than avoiding suffering or experiencing mere discomfort?
To be a follower of Christ is not a promise of ease and comfort during our earthly lives. In fact, Jesus says the exact opposite: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 16:24-25). In an age now where few countries perform public executions anymore (and generally not by crucifixion), it is hard for us to imagine the weight of Jesus’ words to “take up one’s cross.” We need to be willing to follow Him to the very end of our lives, including accepting any suffering that comes our way. However, God does not abandon us. He does not leave us without comfort, help, or joy. He has sent a Helper, a Comforter to us: the Holy Spirit, Whose descent on Pentecost we will celebrate in just a short while. In St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians who were undergoing persecution, he encouraged them: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:16-17). By keeping our focus on spiritual things and the promise of the age to come, we can see more easily rejoice in our sufferings and see them as a sharing in Christ’s sufferings.