[Greek] διώκω (diōkō), [Latin] pati persecutionem, [Latin] persequere, [French] endurer, [French] souffrir, [French] marcher

[Greek] διώκω (diōkō), [Latin] pati persecutionem, [Latin] persequere, [French] endurer, [French] souffrir, [French] marcher: to pursue, to persecute, to press forward, to strive to; 48 scriptures

God shows His infinite mercy to all those who suffer because of persecution, sickness, war, and natural disasters. It is through their suffering that they will discover the God of eternity. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to denounce, to pursue, to urge, to prosecute, to impel, and to prosecute.

Aristophanes’ Knights 368: “I denounce you for cowardice.”

Antiphon’s First Tetralogy 2.1.5: “It is clear from the circumstance of death themselves that the victim was deliberately murdered.”

Aristophanes’ Knights 968: “You shall pursue Smicythe and her spouse, standing in a chariot of gold.”

Homer’s Odyssey 18.8: “He came now, and was driving Odysseus from his own house.”

Old Testament: This term means to pursue, to be driven, to persecute, to strive, to pass way, and to follow. The ungodly is often perceived as that of one who is hunted.

New Testament: This term means to persecute (being persecuted), to pursue, and to strive for something. For purposes of brevity, Jesus being persecuted will be excluded.

Being persecuted (and receiving blessings): Mt.5:10-12, Mt. 5:44, Rom.12:14

1. For the sake of righteousness, receiving the kingdom of heaven
2. Being insulted and persecuted because of Jesus
3. Receiving your great reward in heaven
4. Bless those who persecute you and do not curse them
5. Pray for those who persecute you
6. We are persecuted but not abandoned

Mt.23:34: I send some disciples (prophets, wise men, and scribes) whom you will pursue from town to town

Jn.15:20: If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you

Saul, who persecutes the Christians: Acts 22:4, Acts 26:11, 1Cor.15:9

1. I persecuted the Way to death, binding them to prison
2. I pursued the Christians even to foreign cities
3. For I am least of the apostles because I persecuted the Church of God

Striving for [fill in the blank]: Rom.9:30, Rom.12:13, Rom.14:19, 1Cor.14:1, Php.3:12, 1Tim.5:15

1. The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have achieved from faith
2. Contribute to the needs of the poor and pursue hospitality
3. Let us pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another
4. Pursue love, but strive for spiritual gifts
5. [Paul]: I continue my pursuit of to be taken possession of by Christ
6. Always pursue what is good for each other and all

Conclusion:

Patient, patience, persecute, persecution, suffer, suffering, march, endure

Mt.5:10: Righteousness essentially means being in conformity to God’s will

Mt.5:12: The prophets who were before you: Christian disciples

Mt.5:43-44: In the Old Testament, one’s countryman was considered as one’s friend. Others were taught to be considered as enemies.

Acts 22:4: Prior to his conversion, Saul was a rabid Pharisaic persecutor of Christians

Rom.12:14: Scripture states that it is not necessary for one to take justice into one’s hand against evil. However, the reality is that nations (countries) must and should appropriately take measures to protect themselves. God will ultimately deal justly with evil.

Rom.9:30: The Jews (Israelites) had not been interested in God’s righteousness, for fear that this would jeopardize the validity of the Mosaic law.

1Cor.15:9: God’s grace and mercy allowed Paul to become an apostle

2Cor.4:9: Christian discipleship often comes with trials and affliction

Update: In God’s infinite mercy, He will provide comfort, blessings, and graces upon those (Christians, Jews, Palestinians, etc) who have been persecuted or killed in the Middle East.

 Suffering takes us to the edge of eternity—

If death is the end of everything, then a life filled with suffering isn’t fair.  But if the end of this life brings us to the threshold of eternity, the most fortunate people in the universe are those who discover, through suffering, that this life is not all we have to live for.   Those who find themselves and their eternal God through suffering have not wasted their pain.  They have let their poverty, grief, and hunger drive them to the Lord of eternity.  They are the ones who will discover to their own never-ending joy when Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Experiencing unjust suffering (because of circumstances beyond one’s control): This is a grace before God. For this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you. (1Pet.2:19-21)

Hamas, seeking to destroy Israel (Israelis), is the very embodiment of evil.

Israel is now in the process of retaliating against Hamas, seeking to root out and eliminate their cells.

It is very telling that some countries, media organizations, and politicians would want to first pursue an unverified (false) narrative (Israel bombing a Gaza hospital) criticizing Israel, rather than verifying its authenticity beforehand. It seems that they initially want to “prosecute” Israel in the court of public opinion.

Unfortunately, many Palestinians in Gaza will be unfortunately be impacted from Israel’s ground intervention in Palestine.

There are many pro-Palestine and Pro-Hamas supporters, while pushing for a cease-fire and peace, remain silent about the Hamas atrocities.

For many observers, the silence in criticizing Hamas has been perceived as tacit support for Hamas.

Efforts are now being made, despite resistance from Hamas, to provide support and aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.

During difficulties, trials, and tragedies, each of us must have possess trust in God.

It is very concerning that universities have become places where students have been taken possession of anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas sentiments.

Bishop Strickland and others, seeking to uphold Church teachings are criticized for not following the “Modernist program” of Pope Francis

Traditional and conservative Catholics are often viewed with suspicion for being concerned and alarmed about the changes to Jesus’ Church.

Pope Francis has just removed Bishop Strickland from his office. Pope Francis has been persecuting Bishop Strickland for having the audacity to uphold traditional Catholic teachings!