Lent Day 19

An extension of the Eighth Beatitude is "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven".

Some people make fun of those who have religious beliefs, saying how can anyone believe such nonsense? They might even single out some points that do not seem to make sense. How do you respond to such people? The answer is found in Mark chapter 10, verses 13-15: And they were bringing children to Him, that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant, and said to them "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life". Believe this like a child, without questioning it. Jesus wants believers, not people who overanalyze every aspect of our religion. He worked enough miracles and gave His life for us.
That still was not good enough for doubting Thomas. Jesus said to doubting Thomas, you only believed because you saw. Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.