Thoughts for the Day

‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have a feeling that we Christians in the West (and the majority who receive my Thoughts are in Europe, and Great Britain) may have a problem with today's passage! It deals with hatred not just love! The Christian who follows Jesus is called to live in a way that is opposite to how much of society lives. In a world that seems to be organized according to the egoistic interests of people with a "I want this, so I should have it" attitude, Christians are to radiate a love for others which will often be hated. This was the destiny of our Lord. So when a Christian is praised by the world and held up as a model for all by mass media, it is good to remember that Jesus says “If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you." It is this identification with Jesus throughout the centuries that has given so much strength to people to continue, even when they have been attacked or persecuted..

So perhaps we can all spend a few moments today by reading today's passage of scripture through a few times before reflecting on it and asking ourselves the following questions:

• Does the 'world' love me? (Be honest)
• Do others love me because I support the values, and priorities of the world?
• How do I respond to persecution (eg those who make a joke of my faith?)?
• Is this a way to offer love to others, or do I shrink from it and give in to expectations?
• When others persecute me, is it because I am truly showing love for others, or am I behaving even worse than society expects?

* I have used some ideas here from Lectio Divina - see Further Thoughts.

Lord Jesus,
as we lay the text of Your words before us,
to see below the surface to its different meanings,
may we see afresh new truths,
acknowledging our faults and failings,
and committing ourselves to follow in Your footsteps.
Amen.