Daily Thoughts: In some ways
the image created by John in his Gospel today can be a bit confusing. In
today’s Gospel Jesus talks about “the world.” He says. “If the world hates you,
realize that it hates me first.” We might be led to believe by this statement
that “the world” is bad, that there is nothing good about “the world.”
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 people 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!
Have a great Saturday everyone!
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!
A Runner’s Thoughts: 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!
Daily Blessing: Saturday greetings
and blessings to all! I hope your weekend has started off well. It is a cloudy
day here in Pelham but that will not get my spirits down as the colorful flower
abound and it is not cold so it is a good day!
Have a great Saturday everyone. Blessings
upon this first day of 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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