Father Koch: Persecution, oppression -- true paths of the Church
August 16, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Gospel reflection for Aug. 17, 2024, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is always surprising when Christians complain about attempts by a country to limit the expression of our faith. Our American sensibility about freedom of religion, though not always popular, has given us a sense of entitlement that runs contrary to both history and the teaching of Jesus. Prophets are supposed to be oppressed; the Church was intended to be on the fringe and not at center court. Jeremiah the prophet was thrown into a cistern as both a punishment and to silence him. Today, throughout the world, Christians suffer real indignity, persecution, and even martyrdom, in full testimony to the call of Jesus to bring the Gospel to a broken world.
Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, "I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing!" Indeed the world is being set afire unfortunately not with the fire of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the disciples, but with the fire of opposition to that Spirit present and active in the world. Jesus notes however that he is bringing division and opposition into the world. Throughout the course of history, from the very dawn of the Christian era, there has been division and persecution, brought even by members of our own families and those who are dear to us.
Although our time in history is not unique, it doesn't mean that it isn't challenging. We live at a time of new paradigms for each one of us to navigate the modern world. It means that we are challenged in new ways every day and continuing to respond to the call of discipleship risks alienation from our families, our workplaces, our friends, and our community. We are each called to stand with bold conviction even -- and especially -- when it feels like we are standing alone, knowing that we truly never are.
While on one hand there is a strong anti-religious -- perhaps especially an anti-Catholic -- bias that seems to have infected academia and some political circles, there are increasingly positive signs of hope emerging within our society. Many parishes in our country and in our diocese have seen a very recent uptick in young families and individuals attending Mass each weekend. The requests for the Sacraments, and also within the OCIA programs is also showing a dramatic increase. As we know from history, attempts to weaken, diminish, or even destroy the faith, always prove to be ways in which the faith is strengthened and is the seed of growth. We are, therefore, experiencing new signs of hope even in the midst of a crisis of faith.
Nonetheless, division feels contrary to the mission of the Gospel and of the Church. We long for peace, we pray for peace, we seek the peace of Jesus Christ. Yet, Jesus clearly warned his disciples that they would experience division for the sake of the Kingdom. While they ought to be one with one another and live bound by love for one another, there will be people -- even the members of their own families -- who will reject the mission and the missionary as well.
How do we respond to the world? Unfortunately, some take the negative path, and reflect back to the world the hostility and vitriol that it inflicts upon us. This is particularly found within families and friend groups. Not only is this counterproductive, it is also contrary to the teaching of Jesus.
Instead, each one of us is called to exercise discipleship in new and creative ways boldly proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord. Fundamentally we do so grounded in love. It is the powerful expression of the love of Jesus Christ for us, for his Church, and then lived and shared with all whom we encounter, that the Church can best respond to those forces that are hostile to the living and spreading of the Gospel. It is not always easy, but it is the mission, the message, and the means by which we live our faith in the modern world.
With the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, then: “Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” When we live lives of love, nothing can deter us from our evangelical mission.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.
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Gospel reflection for Aug. 17, 2024, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is always surprising when Christians complain about attempts by a country to limit the expression of our faith. Our American sensibility about freedom of religion, though not always popular, has given us a sense of entitlement that runs contrary to both history and the teaching of Jesus. Prophets are supposed to be oppressed; the Church was intended to be on the fringe and not at center court. Jeremiah the prophet was thrown into a cistern as both a punishment and to silence him. Today, throughout the world, Christians suffer real indignity, persecution, and even martyrdom, in full testimony to the call of Jesus to bring the Gospel to a broken world.
Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, "I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing!" Indeed the world is being set afire unfortunately not with the fire of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the disciples, but with the fire of opposition to that Spirit present and active in the world. Jesus notes however that he is bringing division and opposition into the world. Throughout the course of history, from the very dawn of the Christian era, there has been division and persecution, brought even by members of our own families and those who are dear to us.
Although our time in history is not unique, it doesn't mean that it isn't challenging. We live at a time of new paradigms for each one of us to navigate the modern world. It means that we are challenged in new ways every day and continuing to respond to the call of discipleship risks alienation from our families, our workplaces, our friends, and our community. We are each called to stand with bold conviction even -- and especially -- when it feels like we are standing alone, knowing that we truly never are.
While on one hand there is a strong anti-religious -- perhaps especially an anti-Catholic -- bias that seems to have infected academia and some political circles, there are increasingly positive signs of hope emerging within our society. Many parishes in our country and in our diocese have seen a very recent uptick in young families and individuals attending Mass each weekend. The requests for the Sacraments, and also within the OCIA programs is also showing a dramatic increase. As we know from history, attempts to weaken, diminish, or even destroy the faith, always prove to be ways in which the faith is strengthened and is the seed of growth. We are, therefore, experiencing new signs of hope even in the midst of a crisis of faith.
Nonetheless, division feels contrary to the mission of the Gospel and of the Church. We long for peace, we pray for peace, we seek the peace of Jesus Christ. Yet, Jesus clearly warned his disciples that they would experience division for the sake of the Kingdom. While they ought to be one with one another and live bound by love for one another, there will be people -- even the members of their own families -- who will reject the mission and the missionary as well.
How do we respond to the world? Unfortunately, some take the negative path, and reflect back to the world the hostility and vitriol that it inflicts upon us. This is particularly found within families and friend groups. Not only is this counterproductive, it is also contrary to the teaching of Jesus.
Instead, each one of us is called to exercise discipleship in new and creative ways boldly proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord. Fundamentally we do so grounded in love. It is the powerful expression of the love of Jesus Christ for us, for his Church, and then lived and shared with all whom we encounter, that the Church can best respond to those forces that are hostile to the living and spreading of the Gospel. It is not always easy, but it is the mission, the message, and the means by which we live our faith in the modern world.
With the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, then: “Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” When we live lives of love, nothing can deter us from our evangelical mission.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.