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 looks to be a sunny morning here in Manitowoc but they say rain will move in
this afternoon which means I will probably have a rainy drive later today.
This is
the last morning of retreat. I will celebrate the closing mass at 10 am and
hopefully be on the road around 11:30 am for my journey east to Greensburg, PA.
It has been a good week here at Holy Family Convent and I have truly enjoyed
the sisters in the St. Rita’s community. Please continue to keep them in your
prayers and today if you could say an extra prayer for the traveler it would be
appreciated!
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 many smiles, friendly people
and the loving presence of God throughout your day. May this Saturday be rich in
all that makes a day life giving and life sustaining for you. Peace in Christ’s
Passion and Joy in the Risen Christ…Fr. Paul
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