If we look at Jesus’ statements about “the
world” in this section of John’s Gospel in this way then how do we reconcile
this image of “the world” with Genesis 1:31, which tells us that God created
our world good or John 3:16, which tells us that God so loved the world.
“The world” that Jesus speaks about in
the Gospel today are those who have rejected Jesus. In Jesus’ time and in our
time there is good and bad in “the world,” there is life and death, there is
good and evil. There are some in “the world” who will and do hate us. Rejection
of Jesus and his message is alive and well today. There are people who reject
the Gospel, who reject Jesus, who reject faith. They are “the world” that Jesus warned us
about.
Just because it has been over 2,000
years since Jesus it does not mean that rejection and hate have gone away. It
does not mean that we are immune from the hate and persecution that Jesus
encountered. We might not have to carry a wooden cross through city streets and
die on it, but we will be hated and persecuted because we believe.
The question might be how do we deal
with this? I think Pope Francis has given us a clue, he says that our “weapons”
of self-defense are the Gospel, humility and meekness. In other words we are
not to be like those in “the world” who hate, persecute, those who sling mud, criticize
and judge. We are to be people of the Gospel, people of compassion, forgiveness
and love. We are to be Gospel people in humility and meekness.
You might say these “weapons” go against
every human instinct. When challenged, when persecuted our instinct is to
strike back but that is not Jesus’ way and as people of faith it is not our
way. If we truly know Jesus, if we truly
believe then hate and persecution does not matter what does is bringing life to
the presence of God through forgiveness, compassion and love!
Daily Prayer: Loving God make
us instruments of your love, compassion and forgiveness. When we are hated,
help us not to lash out with hate. When we are persecuted by word or action,
help us not to sling mud back. When we are not respected or made fun of, help
us not to be disrespectful and arrogant. When the way people talk about us or report
about us does not seem fair, help us to be your faithful, humble and meek
servants who bring your presence to the world. For if we are compassionate and
loving people we will keep alive your Good News and help all to know just how
much you love the world. Amen!
Runner’s Thought: Remember running
can be humbling and elevating at the same time. When we run and see the beauty
of creation we realize how insignificant and tiny we really are when it comes
to all of creation, yet God did create each of us as “very good.” Each of us
carries the image and likeness of God within us. So as we run let us run with
God helping to create a better world and a better person!
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope your
weekend has started off well. Yesterday I celebrated a Confirmation Retreat Day
with some students from St. Barnabas Parish in the Bronx. It was the second
half of the Confirmation class. I had given a retreat day to the first half two
weeks ago. I was a great day the students were spirited and full of energy.
Today I am getting ready to journey to
Midland Park, NJ and Nativity Parish where I will begin an Easter Parish
Mission this evening. I will be preaching the masses this weekend and then
celebrating the mission Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If you are in the area
come and join us!
Have a great Saturday and Sunday
everyone. If you are betting on the Kentucky Derby I hope your house comes in,
if not just have another mint julep and it will not seem so bad! Blessings on
your weekend, may you find some rest and relaxation and may you be gifted with
family, friends and the presence of God! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Hope in
the Risen Christ…Fr. Paul
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