Gospel JN 15:18-21
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.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, 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.”
“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.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, 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.”
In this reading, I think Jesus is preparing the disciples for the rejection, even hatred, that they are about to experience as they share Jesus message of love and hope. Not everyone will be willing or ready to accept the message. They may even be persecuted for it - even die for speaking the truth. Jesus is also preparing me for rejection and persecution as well. To be a follower of Jesus means to have a thick skin. That's clearly an area of growth for me. Dear Jesus, help me to stay true to doing your will even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
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