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. John 15:19
Piety
Let us pray: God, help me to be led by your words not those of Fox News or the New York Times. Brother and friend Jesus, help me to reject the easy and popular paths in favor of the right path where you have paved the way. Holy Spirit, charge me up to walk with you as a friend, in unison and agreement. Amen.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/051207.shtml
What does it say? In the starkest, most definitive term, Jesus teaches that he is not of this world. He predicts that the world will reject not only Him, but also those who follow Him.
What does it mean? Christians should expect the world to have a hostile reaction to what they advocate.
What does it matter? Association with Jesus – whether it ends in “success” or in persecution, doesn’t matter. What matters is unison with Jesus.
Just think about some of the views of the world.
Supports capital punishment.
Participates in wars – just and unjust.
Fails to respect life at all stages.
Policies and practices result in poverty.
Billions of people worldwide who live on less than $2 a day.
In favor of Kervorkian-like euthanasia.
Systematic racism, sexism, and discrimination.
Dishes out movies filled with gratuitous violence, sexuality.
However, unison with Jesus means rejecting these in favor of consistent love and action to lift up those burdened by the system that works for the opposite ends.
Action
Jesus is certainly not promising a rose garden to His disciples today. This reading reminds me of a story included in a talk given by a member of a team on a recent men’s Cursillo. He talked about a picture of Jesus his daughter has on her mirror. It says (I hope I get this right): “Jesus never said it would be easy. He only said it would be worth it.”
How are you walking in union with Jesus today? Consider attending the Diocesan Ultreya at St. Francis of
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