Commentary on the Gospel of
Jesus warned his disciples that persecutions can inflict pain, suffering and death. The consequences of following Jesus were real. No dramatizing whatsoever, for the first Christian communities, persecutions cost blood. Death by blood can inspire heroism. Today we are inspired by the life of our martyrs. We invoke their memory. And their story gives us strength to struggle. This kind of death bears life.
But death of the spirit is much more dangerous. It does not inspire; it does not give strength. It is crippling not only to one but many. This kind of death generates death.