A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”
In speaking to the disciples in this way, Jesus prepares them for persecution, as he was persecuted. “If they persecuted me,” he tells them, “they will also persecute you.” But he also recognizes that there will be those who will follow him and the teachings of the Church: “If they kept my word,” Jesus says, “they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.” Through the sacraments of the Church and my faith in its teachings, Jesus has chosen me out of the world. If the world hates me, it hates me on account of the name of Jesus. Is that a reality I am prepared to accept?
God, work with me so that I understand today’s Gospel reading. What does it mean to be hated by the world on account of the name of Jesus your Son? It means to be chosen out of this world, as the disciples were, to keep his word. In keeping his word and proclaiming my faith in the name of Christ, persecution may come. But if Jesus sends out those who keep his word, he also gives them the means to withstand hatred and accomplish your work. In yesterday’s reading, Jesus tells the disciples that they are his friends. if they do what he commands. “This I command you,” he says to them, “love one another.” Help me, God, be a witness to the love between you and your Son.
Lord, in the hours left of this day, give me the grace to remember that even as I face the passing tribulations of this world, you have chosen me out of it to one day enjoy your love forever in the world to come.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.