Gospel: John 15: 18-21
The modern Christian chafes and protests at the thought of persecution. Protests against offenses real and imagined blanket the airwaves in a never ending attempt to protect their worldly security, power, and influence. Even when the threat is real, wailing and lamentation grow loud. Appeals to religious liberty and the ancient privilege of the Church are made. They are utterly shocked that such could happen to them and in our day.
The very first teaching of Jesus in the Gospels is the Beatitudes, wherein we read that we are blessed to be persecuted for the sake of Jesus, and that we should rejoice and be glad. In today's Gospel portion which represents the very last teaching of Jesus we find him telling us that persecution is to be expected, that it is the very mark of the Christian to suffer such. If we love and serve others as Jesus did, we should expect the hatred of the world.
Jesus has guaranteed that we will face persecution for being his follower. He also guaranteed that God will be with us in that persecution, not to deliver us from it, but to bring our hearts peace and union with him when it comes. Christianity is not a suburban lifestyle of comfort, security, material wealth and power. It is a life of love and service to others that angers the world and convicts it of its injustice and cruelty.
No comments:
Post a Comment