One of the great blessings of living in the United States is our ability to practice our faith in peace. Not so in many parts of the world. According to the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the most persecuted religion on the planet. When we hear the words of Jesus in today's Gospel reading, we should not be surprised: "they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name... You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 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." Before the final end of the world, we must endure much suffering first. That is why Christianity when lived well, will never be for the faint of heart.