Staying True To Your Values

Reflection Date: October 29, 2026 | Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Ephesians 6:10-20; Luke 13:31-35

Children of God:
During Japan’s colonial occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, Japanese authorities increasingly pressured Koreans to participate in Shinto shrine ceremonies, particularly as the state promoted emperor-centered nationalism in the 1930s and 1940s. 

Many Korean Christians saw these ceremonies as religious acts that conflicted with their Christian faith, while the authorities often insisted that they were expressions of civic loyalty. 

Christians who refused could face serious consequences, especially during the crackdown on churches and Christian schools in the late 1930s. 

These punishments included arrest and imprisonment, police interrogation and physical torture, dismissal from teaching or other employment, closure of churches and Christian schools, and prosecution or prolonged detention under colonial security laws. 

Some Christians endured years of imprisonment, and a number of believers died as a result of persecution and harsh prison conditions. 

Their experiences remind us that remaining faithful to our conscience can demand great courage when powerful authorities pressure people to abandon their convictions.

In the gospel story of Luke, Jesus continued His journey toward Jerusalem even 

when some Pharisees warned Him that Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus refused to abandon His mission, expressed His sorrow for Jerusalem, and compared His desire to gather its people to a hen gathering her brood under her wings. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, stand by your convictions even when doing so makes life difficult.

Some Pharisees told Jesus to leave because Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus responded that He would continue His work of driving out demons and healing people, and that He would reach His goal in Jerusalem. 

He did not allow threats to determine the direction of His mission (Luke 13:31-33). His commitment to His calling remained stronger than the pressure to protect Himself by abandoning His work.

In our daily lives, we also face situations that test our convictions. Sometimes, we compromise because we fear losing our position, disappointing people, or becoming the target of criticism. These pressures are real, but they invite us to examine what we value most.

Standing by our convictions means examining our choices carefully, recognizing what is right, and acting with integrity even when doing so carries a cost. We can express disagreement respectfully, refuse to participate in wrongdoing, and seek peaceful solutions without abandoning our principles. 

Stand by your convictions even when doing so makes life difficult.

Second, let courage be guided by love rather than anger or revenge.

As Jesus continued toward Jerusalem, He spoke with deep sorrow about the city that rejected the prophets and resisted those sent to it. He longed to gather its people together as a hen gathered her chicks under her wings, but they were unwilling (Luke 13:34). 

Even as He faced opposition, Jesus expressed grief over the people rather than hatred toward them. His courage remained connected to His desire to protect, gather, and save.

When people oppose us, our first reaction may be to fight back, insult them, or prove that we are right. We may even convince ourselves that hurting someone in return will restore our dignity. 

However, courage requires self-control, especially when our emotions are strong. We can defend our beliefs without humiliating others, correct injustice without becoming unjust ourselves, and establish boundaries without wishing harm on those who disagree with us.

In our families, workplaces, and communities, love sometimes requires difficult conversations and unpopular decisions. These actions can be uncomfortable, but they can be carried out with respect and genuine concern for the other person. 

Jesus shows us that we can remain firm in our convictions while keeping our hearts open to compassion, reconciliation, and peace.

Let courage be guided by love rather than anger or revenge.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: What convictions do I struggle to defend because I fear criticism, rejection, or losing something important? 

When someone disagrees with me or treats me unfairly, do I respond with courage and respect or with anger and revenge? What difficult but necessary action can I take today to remain faithful to my values while showing compassion toward others?

Children of God:
Life will sometimes test our convictions through pressure, opposition, and difficult choices. We cannot control every challenge we encounter, but we can choose how we respond to it. 

Let us cultivate the courage to stand for what is right while refusing to let anger and hatred control our hearts. May our convictions remain strong, our consciences remain clear, and our love for others continue to guide our actions.