Q U I C K S C A N

Three Hundred Years of Persecution
A Main Reason for Rome’s Hatred
A Powerful Example of Forgiveness

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

Three Hundred Years of Persecution

As Christianity moved to Rome not many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection and as the faith spread all over the world, Jesus’ followers came under severe persecution. In the Roman Empire, there were seven successive persecutions that lasted nearly 300 years. Strong tradition says that both Peter and Paul died in Rome around 64 A.D. under Nero. Persecutions finally ceased after the Roman emperor Constantine issued an edict in 313 tolerating Christianity.

A Main Reason for Rome’s Hatred

What is interesting to consider is why Christians were persecuted. After all, Rome usually allowed conquered nations to continue their own worship as a way to promote peace and to avoid uprisings and rebellions. But they did not do that with Christianity. It wasn’t because converts to Christianity were men of power, politicians or philosophers who could influence civil society and cause problems. There was never a danger that Christians would pick up swords and spears to overthrow Roman rule, which would have been contrary to the gospel of Jesus. Actually, Christianity was composed mostly of ordinary people, young and old, who had no social or political power. Yet, strangely enough, the numbers of Christians grew rapidly, and converts came in large numbers.

What was the problem that Roman authority saw in the doctrine of the carpenter from Nazareth? It centered on Jesus’ words that we find in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This was a command that frightened Romans because it would put the empire in danger. Roman philosophy and politics taught, “Don’t love your enemies…conquer them and kill them. If you love them, we will become weak and our enemies will conquer us.” The more the Christian community grew, the more its members were seen as a danger. The teachings of Christ were seen as subversive and dangerous to the state.

Jesus’ command in that New Testament passage is, in a way, the core foundation of the Sermon on the Mount. It is even more drastic than Jesus’ command “to love your neighbor as yourself” because here he makes it clear that our neighbors include our worst enemies.

A Powerful Example of Forgiveness

Now we can read these words with ease. After all, it’s what Jesus told us to do. But then, who of us have what we could really consider enemies? We have people we don’t get along with or people who rub us the wrong way, ordinary personality conflicts. But an enemy is quite different. The act of an enemy will drive a person into a rage.

Go back to April 19, 1995, when the Oklahoma City government building was torn apart by Timothy McVeigh. The 186 people initially killed included a number of children who were playing in a daycare center. More than 800 were wounded. Imagine the rage in those victims’ survivors, especially the parents of the children.

One man, Bud Welch, had lost his daughter, Julie Marie, in the blast. He described himself as filled with so much anger that he wanted to kill McVeigh with his bare hands. Bud experienced what can be described as rage. That is, a livid anger that is bound by the ultimate frustration of knowing that nothing you can do will change the results of such an evil deed. For five weeks, it was as if Bud was insane. Slowly, he began to realize that his rage and his hate were only destroying himself and that, as Jesus had commanded, he must forgive McVeigh. In fact, at the penalty part of McVeigh’s trial, Bud appeared as a witness opposing the death penalty. He reasoned that he would gain not one thing of value from McVeigh’s death. Revenge could not be his because he would be doing just what McVeigh had done. There were more than a few people who condemned Bud, proclaiming, “He had no right to forgive McVeigh.” Those words turn upside down what Jesus commands us.

It has been said that the hardest commandment to follow is to forgive those who sin against us. We probably all know that, especially when we are certain that indeed they wanted to hurt us. And yet, as Jesus said, “This is the sign of a true child of God.”

As in every case of Jesus’ life, he not only preached but also followed his own teaching. On the cross, the most important words Jesus spoke were, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Imagine, the son of God forgiving his murderers. But he did.

From time to time we hear stories of great heroism, when someone was able to forgive what most people would consider unforgivable. What it proves is that the power of God’s grace in the heart of a person can enable a person to do what we could consider humanly impossible. But then, nothing is impossible with God’s grace.

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “ Philippine Diary: St. Anthony Shrine in Forbes Park.”

Dear Friar Jack: Hi! I am from the Philippines, and I am happy to read your E-spirations about St. Anthony Shrine in Forbes Park. It is around a one-hour ride from where I live; I’ve been there several times but have not attended services for the feast of St. Anthony. I am a retired employee of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, National Headquarters. My encounter with St. Anthony was when I just finished my college degree. I wanted to find a job and I made a 13-Tuesday novena to St. Anthony. On the feast day of St. Anthony on June 13, 1960, I started working at the local Girl Scout headquarters and worked with the movement for 30 years, giving me the opportunity to learn and practice my duty to God and my fellowmen. I’ve been retired for almost eight years now and I am busy serving our parish, Our Lady of the Pillar in Las Pinas City. More power to you!  Patricia

Dear Patricia: Thanks for sharing your story about St. Anthony helping you find a good job some 48 years ago—and your work for your parish today. May God bless you with good health! Thanks again to all who sent e-mails this month. You all remain in my prayers each month along with your loved ones! Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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